INFORMATION TRANSFER AND CARTOGRAPHIC DESIGN ISSUES FOR
AVALANCHE RISK MAPPING
K. Kriz, M. Kinberger
Unuversity of
karel.kriz@univie.ac.at
The joint project “LWD Online Maps” between
the Avalanche Warning Center Tyrol (
Beside cartographic design aspects, the quality and usability of a map mostly depends on the accuracy of the depicted information. The aim of the project “LWD Online Maps” is to visualize the daily avalanche report as well as the crucial meteorological factors of Tyrol with the goal to produce understandable and effective cartographic depictions. The representation of this constantly changing information demands efficient administration, high quality data and comprehensible knowledge transfer. In order to assist the data administration and production process as well as the experts of the Avalanche Warning Center, who must work daily with the system, it was important to facilitate the user with an interactive administration tool that sensitizes the client for spatial geographic issues.
This was achieved using software, such as php and PostgreSQL for programming and database administration, Google Earth for verifying geographic locations of weather stations and Mapyrus for high quality mapping.
This paper gives an overview on the
communication, administration as well as information transfer processes within
the project and will furthermore discuss the general framework with emphasis on
cartographic design issues.