Learn about map digitization in 1 article

Digitizing maps is predicted by experts to become an indispensable trend in the future. Around the world, map digitization work has been receiving a lot of positive feedback from both users and developers. So in Vietnam, how will map digitization work take place?

Before maps were digitized, we often used traditional maps, which were paper maps. However, with the development of the world, buildings are becoming more and more complex. Many problems and information need to be displayed on maps, but paper maps cannot.

Join Digimap to find the answer to the question of what map digitization is and the urgency of map digitization in today’s life.

Learn details about map digitization
With the strong development of information and communication technology, the process of map digitization today has become more popular and advanced. Map scanning and satellite imaging technology has advanced significantly, allowing for faster and more accurate digitization.

Concept of map digitization
Digital maps are often called Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This is a modern technology-based tool designed to represent geographic or geospatial information digitally. These geographic spaces can include data related to terrain, place names, routes, residential areas, etc.

Map digitization (digital map) is the process of converting information from traditional maps (on paper or other media) into electronic form. Map digitization provides the ability to create interactive maps, rapidly update data, and increase the accuracy and reliability of geographic information.

Map digitization is the process of converting information from traditional maps into electronic form

These digital data sets are often stored and accessed through a variety of storage media. These can be CDs, magnetic disks, hard drives and USB storage devices. In a digital map, there will often be components such as data recording devices, computers, database information or map display tools.

Purpose of digital maps
Digital maps are often created by collecting data from a variety of sources. Usually information is collected from satellite images, geographical information provided by the government or available maps.

This data is then meticulously processed and organized to create digital maps, often made available on online platforms or through specialized geographic software.

The main purpose of map digitization is to create an electronic version of the map, allowing the storage, management and processing of geographical data on computers.

The process of converting traditional maps into digital data
The process of converting traditional maps into digital data is an important process in digitizing geographic information. Instead of just relying on traditional paper maps, digital data brings great benefits by converting maps into electronic data form.

From there, it opens up the possibility of exploiting, sharing and analyzing geographic information more conveniently and effectively.

The process of converting from traditional maps to digital data includes 3 steps, as follows:

Step 1: Collect geographic data

Geographic data is collected from different sources such as map scanning, satellite images, radar, laser and other technologies. This process aims to collect information about geographical elements on the map such as roads, borders, terrain, rivers, constructions and other objects.

Step 2: Process and analyze collected data

Collected data needs to be processed and analyzed to create geographic data layers. This process involves applying algorithms and geographic analysis methods to produce accurate and valid numerical data.

Step 3: Store and manage data

After being processed, digital data is stored and managed in geographic data systems. This ensures consistency, easy access, and effective management of geographic data.

After completing the digitization process, digital map data can be stored and managed in computer systems or geographic databases. This allows for easy access, sharing, and integration of geographic data in different geographic information systems and applications.

Technologies and software used in the map digitization process
The map digitization process uses special technologies and software to perform the above steps. Technologies such as map scanning, satellite imagery, radar, lasers, and other measurement technologies are used to collect geographic data.

GIS (Geographic Information System) software is used to process, analyze and manage geographic data. In addition, technologies related to global positioning (GPS) and mobile applications also play an important role in digitizing maps.

GIS software is used to process, analyze and manage geographic data.

Learn about the map digitization process

Nowadays, map digitization has become an important process in creating and managing geographic information. It has wide applications in many fields such as urban management, resource management, geotechnology and geology, tourism and many others.

Collect geographic data
Geographic data collection is the process of gathering information about the geographical elements of a given area. Geographic data provides information about the location, shape, and characteristics of space, playing an important role in the map digitization process.

Map scanning: Use scanning technologies such as LiDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) or RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) to collect terrain information and objects on the map.
Satellite images: Use images taken from satellites or drones to collect geographical information.
GPS measurement: Using global positioning devices (GPS) to collect geographical location information.
Available data sources: Use available geographic data sources such as government databases, technical maps, electronic maps, and other public data sources.
In short, gathering geographic data is an important process for understanding and exploiting information. By using modern technologies and methods, we can collect accurate and detailed geographic data, generating the knowledge and information needed to meet the needs and challenges of the world. modern world.

Collect geographic data

Data processing and storage
Data processing includes activities such as collecting, examining, sorting, filtering and transforming data to convert it from its original form into a meaningful and usable form.

Data preprocessing: Data collected from different methods need to be preprocessed to remove noise, align for accuracy, and standardize formatting. Create geographic data layers: Collected data is divided into geographic data layers such as roads, rivers, forests, entertainment, construction works and other objects. Each geographic layer contains detailed information about the corresponding feature.
Data Mounting: When there are many different geographic data sources, a data cohesion process is performed to combine information from different sources and create a consistent and complete map.
Geographic data storage system: Digitized map data is stored in geographic data management systems such as geographic database (Geographic Information System – GIS). These systems enable efficient storage, retrieval, and management of geographic data.

Data management: Geographic data management includes defining access rights, securing data, and maintaining data consistency. Data security measures such as encryption, authentication, and access controls are in place to ensure the safety of geospatial data.
The data processing and storage process not only ensures the integrity, accessibility and security of information but also creates a systematic and flexible database to support management activities. , data analysis and application. This enhances decision-making, optimizes performance and is innovative in using data information to achieve business and social goals.

Benefits of map digitization
Digitizing maps brings many important benefits in managing geographic information and providing useful services to users. Here are the main benefits of map digitization:

Update data quickly and easily
Easy to manage and access: Map digitization allows for easy and convenient storage and management of geographic data. Instead of having to work with traditional paper maps, digitized data can be stored in a computer system and accessed whenever needed. This helps save time and effort in finding information and managing data.

Benefits of map digitization: Quickly update data

Integrate data from multiple sources
Map digitization allows the integration of data from many different sources such as GPS systems, national information systems, geographic data from government organizations, companies and communities. This creates a rich and diverse source of geographic information, providing a comprehensive view of a specific area.

Enhance analysis and forecasting capabilities
Map digitization provides geographic databases for analyzes and forecasts in many fields. Geo-analytics tools can be applied to evaluate infrastructure performance, predict disasters, analyze environmental impacts, and other studies. This helps managers and researchers have a clearer view of the situation and trends in a specific area.

Support planning and decision making
Digitizing maps provides essential information to support planning and decision-making in many areas. Urban management, land use planning, natural resource management, infrastructure management and other fields can use digital geographic data to make smart and effective decisions.

Improve public services and urban amenities
Map digitization provides a geographic database for public services and urban utilities. With digitized data, public services such as transportation, waste management, water supply, electricity management and others can be improved.

For example, by mapping geographic data onto digital maps, people can track schedules and traffic conditions, find bus stops, find the nearest waste pick-up point, or look up save the condition of the power network. This helps optimize service usage and improve people’s quality of life.

What is the urgency of applying digital maps?
Before maps were digitized, we often used traditional maps, which were paper maps. However, with the development of the world, buildings are becoming more and more complex. Many issues and information need to be displayed on a map that cannot be shown on a paper map.

Let’s take a look at some more detailed information about the urgency of applying digital maps in the current context below to better understand this content. Digital maps were born with many outstanding advantages compared to paper maps

Real-time updates
Paper maps inherently do not have the ability to quickly update adjustments made in the building. If the space changes frequently without replacing it with new paper maps, the printed paper map will become outdated and may cause misleading rescue operations.

Completely overcoming this weakness, digital maps were born to help update information at the location in real time. Continuous updates and allowing firefighters access when needed will greatly contribute to accurate navigation and response to incidents.

Missing GPS signal
This can be considered the biggest limitation when using paper maps today. For incident rescue operations, there is no GPS signal, making the search time for firefighters longer.

And in fire prevention and fighting, time is the most important factor, determine a plan and deploy rescue as quickly as possible. With this urgent requirement, map digitization was born with GPS signals integrated with the indoor positioning system. From there, accurate location information can be provided even when the GPS signal is weak.

Integration with emergency systems
Digital maps help integrate information with emergency systems in fire protection. This helps accurately orient firefighters when there is a fire incident. At the same time, integration with emergency systems helps transmit information and respond to incidents faster.

Epilogue
Map digitization is a process and stepping stone that plays an important role in the trend of modern system management integration. Finally, digitizing maps provides the ability to share and transmit geographic data quickly and conveniently, while minimizing dependence on traditional paper materials.

Hopefully the information that Digimap shares in the above article will help you better understand what map digitization is.

Thank you for reading!