# Towards Geocoding Spatial Expressions

## TL;DR

This paper addresses the challenge of geocoding imprecise spatial expressions in English text by proposing a formal representation that incorporates background knowledge, semantic rules, and fuzzy variables, along with an evaluation method based on human judgment.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel formal framework for geocoding vague spatial expressions using semantic approximations and fuzzy logic, enhancing the handling of ambiguous location references.

## Key findings

- Proposes a formal representation for imprecise spatial expressions.
- Develops an evaluation technique based on human judgment.
- Highlights the importance of background knowledge and fuzzy variables in geocoding.

## Abstract

Imprecise composite location references formed using ad hoc spatial expressions in English text makes the geocoding task challenging for both inference and evaluation. Typically such spatial expressions fill in unestablished areas with new toponyms for finer spatial referents. For example, the spatial extent of the ad hoc spatial expression "north of" or "50 minutes away from" in relation to the toponym "Dayton, OH" refers to an ambiguous, imprecise area, requiring translation from this qualitative representation to a quantitative one with precise semantics using systems such as WGS84. Here we highlight the challenges of geocoding such referents and propose a formal representation that employs background knowledge, semantic approximations and rules, and fuzzy linguistic variables. We also discuss an appropriate evaluation technique for the task that is based on human contextualized and subjective judgment.