AUTOMATING MAP SPECIFICATIONS FOR A BILINGUAL WORK FORCE:
AN EGYPTIAN/AMERICAN CASE STUDY
Dr. Safinaz Ahmed Soliman, Gravity Section Director
Survey Research Institute, Arab Republic of Egypt
James C. Fass, Cartographic Supervisor
Geonex International, United States
ISPRS Commission: VI
ABSTRACT:
In an effort to update and modernize map specifications for an ongoing project in the Arab Republic of Egypt, an Egyptian/American
team investigated and implemented some innovations which minimize the use of language, and maximize the use of symbols and icons.
The team produced bilingual documents using word-processing, graphics, and database applications commonly found on the Apple
Macintosh computer. These documents comprise a complete cartographic specification including feature descriptions, standard
operating procedures and quality assurance guidelines currently in use for the production of a completely new 1:50,000 topographic
map series. Specifications of similar format are in development for several other cartographic products.
The team developed map specifications using flow diagrams patterned after those described by J.S.Keates (Cartographic Design and
Production, John Wiley & Sons, 1989) and an original database design for feature descriptions which illustrate the complete history of
each feature (from photogrammetry to field completion to cartography) in a graphics-oriented database manager for the Apple
Macintosh called Hypercard. These documents serve as procedure outlines which help coordinate the various map-making production
groups. Lessons learned in putting the standard operating procedures into action--the technician-level acceptance, production tracking,
and procedure enforcement--have helped pave the way for the development of additional specifications for more challenging digital
products.
KEY WORDS: Cartography, Specifications, Language
1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE SPECIFICATIONS
The Surveying and Mapping component of the Irrigation 2. The Feature Card
Management System (IMS) project began in 1990 and is
responsible for the production of manual and digital maps of
agricultural Egypt at scales ranging from 1:1000 to 1:100,000.
In the process of generating these map products, the project is
The team started by entering cartographic specification data in
personal computer databases. This allowed maximum
flexibility in altering symbology or generalization standards and
also to conduct extensive training and reorientation to bring the validating afterwards that no two features were mistakenly
Egyptian Survey Authority (ESA)--the principle map-making given the same symbology. What it did not do was provide
agency within the A.R.E. Ministry of Public Works--in line cartographers with a good sense of the effectiveness of selected
with the latest cartographic production techniques. symbology. Cartographers needed to see pictures.
Consequently, the effort to create a dynamic cartographic
specification evolved into a mixture of graphics and database
attributes. The specifications team used the Apple Macintosh
computer with Hypercard software to add raster sketches of
features to their feature description "cards".
An international team of ESA engineers and contract advisors
from the Geonex Corporation was charged with the task of
developing cartographic specifications and procedures for
several map products for the S&M Component of the IMS
Project. Beginning with the 1:50,000 series of manual
Topographic Maps, the team made an assessment of the most : a
recent similar mapping activity and proceeded to design a The Hypercard approach proved useful in laying out a complete
strategy for developing a dynamic system of cartographic feature history in one location. Specifications relating to
specifications which could continue to be serviceable to the ESA photogrammetric compilation, field edit, color separation and
long after the IMS project is complete. photo reduction were organized in a roughly clockwise pattern
starting in the upper left. The specifications team recognized
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It was quickly decided that the traditional method of color- that this was a departure from conventional specifications which
separating and printing cartographic symbol sheets was not generally separate discussions of compilation from discussions
conducive to the editing and periodic update anticipated for the of color separation (scribing). By using a database approach to
various map series. Although commendable effort had been the specifications (as opposed to just drawing pictures), we
done with this approach in recent foreign-assisted mapping found that the complete feature card was useful during planning
projects, the specifications which resulted were ultimately not in stages and could be easily divided afterwards for specific work
the control of the ESA, but delivered, as it were, a final product groups.
in itself. What was wanted was a more dynamic approach to ,
cartographic specifications which would allow the ESA to make $ file Fun Ge NEED
decisions and change symbology without the usual penalties Ql ldo T€
associated in the traditional symbol-sheet approach. to compton Logend Card ly amm]
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Furthermore, the specifications development strategy had to
deal with the language capabilities of the international team. me = Diei
While English was acceptable during the planning stages, it was s P i COMPLET. Weveiht
not generally understood by the technical work force. All man Aa nl
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English text would have to be translated into Arabic and subject d E |
to possible misinterpretation. It became the objective of the
separation. method
language. As much as possible, the strategy would be to use
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procedure documents with an absolute minimum dependance on or TL pa eer -
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specifications team, therefore, to produce specifications and sS
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symbols and flowcharts in place of narrative exposition.
Figure 1--Legend to Feature Card
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