Vectorization of Linear Features in Scanned Topographic Maps Using Adaptive Image Segmentation and Sequential Line Tracking

Vectorization of cartographic features is a difficult task in geographic information acquisition from topographic maps. This paper presents a semi-automatic approach to linear feature vectorization directly in original scanned colour topographic maps without layer separation. In the approach, a sliding window is added on a user-given linear feature, and the current line in the window is segmented adaptively by using colour space conversion, k-means clustering and directional region growing. A thinning operation is then performed in the window and the line is tracked from the centre to the edge. By moving the window continuously along the line, vectorization is carried out by iterative operations of image segmentation, thinning and line tracking. Experimental results show that linear features in colour topographic maps can be vectorized rapidly and accurately, especially in those maps with forest tints and relief shadings. * Corresponding author.