Point-feature lettering of high cartographic quality: A multi-criteria model with practical implementation

There have been numerous and varied research efforts to automate point-feature label placement (PFLP). It seems that many well-established precepts for pointfeature annotation used by human cartographers have been neglected so far. As a consequence, the currently implemented, fully automated solutions are limiting computer generated maps in their expressive power. In this paper we present a comprehensive multi-criteria model that complies with almost all well defined cartographic placement principles and requirements for PFLP. This allows for a significant increase in toponym density without effecting legibility. The proposed model expressed as a quality evaluation function can be employed by any mathematical optimization algorithm for solving the automated label placement problem. An application of the proposed model was tested on Volunteered Geographic Information data and sample parameter settings were devised. The results illustrate that a high level of cartographic quality for PFLP can be achieved through the integrated approach. The resulting quality is comparable to the lettering produced by an expert cartographer.