Integrating Thematic, Geometric, and Topological Information in the Generalization of Road Networks

A technique is presented for determining and quantifying the functional importance of road segments in a road network, according to a set of source/destination ["source and destination"?] points that reflect the user's context. This technique is an important element in a scheme for the automatic structuring, classification, and coding of unstructured road data — necessary steps in creating a database to support contextually sensitive generalization. The quantification technique employs graph-theoretic methods, and includes the integration of thematic, geometric, and topological information. In the generalization methods, two aspects of data integration are addressed • the integration of spatial and thematic data in establishing input-cost data and consequences of data uncertainty and error, and • the design of a suitable data model to support the analysis.