Semi-automatic vectorization of linear networks on rasterized cartographic maps

TL;DR

This paper introduces a semi-automatic system for vectorizing linear networks like roads and rivers from rasterized maps, combining minimal human input with automatic refinement to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Contribution

The system reduces human intervention to interactive color attribute selection, enabling automatic extraction, refinement, and vectorization of linear networks from digitalized maps.

Findings

Effective on maps of different sources and scales

Reduces manual effort in vectorization process

Produces accurate vector representations of linear networks

Abstract

A system for semi-automatic vectorization of linear networks (roads, rivers, etc.) on rasterized cartographic maps is presented. In this system, human intervention is limited to a graphic, interactive selection of the color attributes of the information to be obtained. Using this data, the system performs a preliminary extraction of the linear network, which is subsequently completed, refined and vectorized by means of an automatic procedure. Results on maps of different sources and scales are included. ----- Se presenta un sistema semi-automatico de vectorizacion de redes de objetos lineales (carreteras, rios, etc.) en mapas cartograficos digitalizados. En este sistema, la intervencion humana queda reducida a la seleccion grafica interactiva de los atributos de color de la informacion a obtener. Con estos datos, el sistema realiza una extraccion preliminar de la red lineal, que se completa, refina y vectoriza mediante un procedimiento automatico. Se presentan resultados de la aplicacion del sistema sobre imagenes digitalizadas de mapas de distinta procedencia y escala.