Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
digital map must be able to communicate effectively by geographically-realistic
associations, to borrow PCP terminology, through proximity (working on a largely
metric basis) or connecting lines (more topologically compatible). Furthermore, if
we were to foster association by assigning a group to a specific plane, as was the
case with the multi-planar MLD, then in effect a thematic distinction has been
made that draws the user's attention, independent of whether features are proximal
or explicitly connected (PCP is also in play in this case).
Aside from parallels between HCI and cartographic theory, straight-forward
cartographic tenets such as effective symbology and generalization could be
applied to the ambulance dispatch displays. For example, generalization processes
such as reduction and elimination can be used to reduce ''clutter'' on the display
(though application of the latter process is more complicated with a display in a
dynamic decision-making environment). Also, some attention to symbology may
have rectified cases such as ''Trial 24'' in the NRCC case study experiment (e.g.
making the symbols more compact and making sure that they are unequivocally
associated with one specific location on the map).
Finally, one of the major findings of the retrospective analysis contained in this
paper is the potential research opportunities for cartography that the novel MLD
(3D displays too) affords. The suggested research directions are again rooted in
fundamental areas of cartography, and have as their basis the fact that layering
occurs, where the extra layer could provide another ''destination'' for data needing
to be generalised—''promotion''; and the transparent nature of that layer. This
opens
out
research
on
the
hypothesis
of
symbology
transparency;
also
the
abovementioned generalisation would not work without this transparency.
A lot of the issues described here are applicable to other types of display used in
different contexts. For example, exposure to maps via mobile devices such as
smartphones is now pervasive. Although there is not the emergency and time
criticality of dispatching, the discussion linking display design principles and
cartographic concepts in this chapter is potentially of relevance to the millions of
phone users who need to receive legible and meaningful spatial data in a mobile
context. There is already much research activity in the mobile cartography
research area (e.g. Gartner and Rehrl
2009
; Paolino et al.
2010
—the latter example
applies visual analytics techniques on mobile phones for on-site emergency
management).
The main concluding statements from this research investigation is a recogni-
tion that emergency dispatch displays with a spatial component are not necessarily
being designed with any geographic or cartographic input in the design process.
However, in this chapter there has been extensive discussion relating to the very
strong parallels between display design principles and cartographic theory, which
seem to have emerged independent of each other. This commonality must be
exploited in future display design processes, not just for displays serving emer-
gency time-critical situations but the ubiquitous displays (i.e. mobile smartphones)
that millions of people use on a daily basis.
