Only in the last 10 years has map production evolved from the esoteric territory of cartographers and geographers to desktop computers. Today, even someone with limited geographic literacy and computer graphic skills can utilize data sets and graphic software to create simple location maps with relative ease.
In fact, computer technology is evolving to the level where geographic analysis, once the domain of large institutional mainframe computers, is now possible on the desktop. Geographic information system (GIS) software is available to perform analysis to model the interaction of spatial phenomena. GIS utilized as an analysis tool produces sophisticated maps, taking the reader beyond location to visualize interaction and emerging spatial patterns of news events. The end of 1997 will begin with new commercial enterprises launching satellites that have the capability to record high-resolution digital images. Satellite imagery is emerging as an information technology allowing news bureaus to task (jargon for request) site-specific satellite imagery on an as-needed basis. Images will be readily available for reporting events as they occur anywhere on the surface of Earth.
Several commercial map data sets are available for creating maps. The data sets, which are relatively inexpensive, are designed to work with illustration or desktop GIS programs on both Macintosh and IBM-type computers. However, some distinctions (illustration vs. GIS) are apparent and should be taken into account prior to implementing desktop mapping capabilities in a news bureau.
MapArt, offered by Cartesia of Lambertville, New Jersey, is a map product for graphic designers, especially those utilizing Illustrator and Freehand software. MapArt data contain up to 40 layers of data (political boundaries, highways, roads, rivers, railroads). This product is ideal for creating location maps, showing general locations of news events of regional to city scale. The detail is similar in design and scale to that of a road map. News editors should be aware that illustration data sets will tend to become dated in areas where urban growth is rapidly expanding because they are usually updated less frequently.
GIS data sets are better suited for larger map scales where street details are required. For example, a GIS data set contains attributes about the graphic object; a line representing a street will contain the address range on that street. In a desktop GIS program such as Arc View, produced by ESRI of Redlands, California, or Map Info, sold by Map Info of Troy, New York, one enters the address of the news event and the program matches the entered address with that of the GIS data set. Once the address match is made, a point showing the address location is then plotted on a computer-generated map. GIS data sets are usually a modified form of United States Census data that are corrected and updated continuously by data vendors. Also many free GIS data sets are available on the Internet.
However, what happens when multiple events occur at multiple locations over the course of several days or weeks? Positioning many locations can be tedious and prone to error. Geographic information systems are designed to accurately plot database information and attach specific information to primitive GIS elements of points, lines and polygons. GIS primitives, when merged with data, can represent cities, roads or land use types. For example, a point in a GIS does not just represent a city location but contains the attributes of the population living there. By varying the size of the point the population size can be represented. Furthermore, by transforming the location point into a pie chart the point can be made to represent ethnicity, age, sex and a variety of statistics that describe a city’s diverse population. This is the strength of a GIS: large amounts of descriptive statistical data can be associated with location (especially addresses) to create thematic maps.
For instance, during October of1996 in Los Angeles, vandals were shattering rear windows of moving automobiles. This occurred over 240 times on 15 Los Angeles area freeways. The Los Angeles Times reported and mapped the attacks, providing the reader with a synoptic map of events. By mapping all the attacks a spatial pattern emerged, giving the map new dimensions of frequency and distribution. GIS analysis and the resultant map indicated more than half of the attacks occurred on three freeways, usually between 9 and 10 p.m. on Tuesday or Saturday nights. This particular map did an excellent job of reinforcing the story by not only communicating where, but also when, and how often drivers were attacked.
Admittedly this ex ample is nothing new. But think for a moment of the time and effort it took to produce this kind of map before GIS and database technology 50 40 30 20 10 existed.
Satellite imagery will soon arise as an intriguing information technology available to news services and television. The satellite, Earlybird 1, owned by Earthwatch Inc., of Longmont, Colorado, will be capable of resolving objects visible on the surface that are larger than 3 meters from 472 kilometers in space. Later in 1998 a second satellite, Quickbird 1, will be launched, capable of .87-meter resolution. Where time and monitoring of events are critical, depending on the latitude of the location, Earlybird will be able to revisit the site every one and a half to five days. With two satellites in orbit, revisit times will be even shorter.
As the image is captured by Earlybird 1 the data are transmitted to Earthwatch mission control where the image is processed. The processed image then can be written to compact disks or electronically transferred via the Internet. This technology will be very useful to observe the destructiveness of natural hazards and regional wars remotely. When imagery is combined with the analysis functionality of a desktop GIS, analysts can measure, quantify and produce image maps, estimating property damage and loss of life.
Even though this new technology is allowing us to produce new, exciting maps, the cartographers goal is to create maps that clearly and effectively communicate location to their intended audience. It is said that cartography is as much an art as a science. An art because it take years of experience to make maps work effectively for the map user. Today, even more a science, because of the required application of emerging technology. However, computer graphics technology is allowing anyone with access to these new tools and data the ability to produce high-quality location maps.
GIS technology merges complex descriptive databases with location to give maps new dimension, going beyond location, helping the reader visualize cause and effect relationships. Commercial satellite technology will soon allow us to remotely image the surface of Earth and the people who occupy it. Exciting as it is, ethical and security issues are bound to make interesting discussion ahead.
Where mapping technology goes from here, your guess is as good as mine. Regardless, most of us will always have a map handy (no matter what form, paper or electronic) to guide us down those unfamiliar highways.