An Automated Multi-Criteria Cartographic Aid for Point Annotation
F. Tyler Huffman, Robert G. Cromley · The Cartographic Journal · 2002
Mathematical algorithms for placing labels upon maps have been used for the past thirty years. This paper presents a multi-criteria model for point feature annotation that examines the sometimes conflicting issues in the point labelling process. Based on a maximum labelling model, the primary goal is to place the maximum number of labels on the map, although secondary goals reflect other considerations such as point size, position preferences, and feature importance. By differentially weighting these separate factors, emphasis could be placed on each consideration in turn allowing the cartographer to assess the implications of each factor in the point annotation process. An application of this model to mountain peaks in Grand Teton National Park illustrates how it can assist a cartographer as a preliminary step in assessing the difficulty encountered in labelling point symbols as well as providing the cartographer with a choice of alternative scenarios upon which to base the final placement.