2 SPATIOTEMPORAL
VISUALIZATIONS
Data representing time and space are found in a wide
range of domains, and can be used to find and com-
prehend natural and social patterns, and to help make
predictions. Spatiotemporal visualization techniques
can efficiently organize and represent temporal ge-
ographic data sets, providing a global view of the
activities, and thus revealing overall tendencies and
movement patterns (Meirelles, 2013). The applica-
tion of these visualization techniques carries some
challenges such as their computational requirements,
caused by the usually large data sets, and the need for
a sound understanding of how information and knowl-
edge can be extracted from the data, and transposed in
the visualization (Zhong et al., 2012).
Traditionally, maps have been used as models for
spatiotemporal datasets (Meirelles, 2013). Through
the use of maps, the geospatial patterns and clusters
are generally easier to identify. Zhong et al. (Zhong
et al., 2012) groups the most important spatiotem-
poral visualization techniques in 5 different types:
(1) Timestamps and Time Labels, which are series
of events marked with date and time information.
The time labels are specific graphic variables used
in maps indicating changes. This type of visualiza-
tion is static. Minards famous graphic of Napoleons
Russian campaign is one example of this technique;
(2) Baselines, which use arrows and lines to repre-
sent the changes in the data. This technique can ap-
ply animation methods to represent the progress. Na-
talia Andrienko and Gennady Andrienko (Adrienko
and Adrienko, 2011) propose a method for spatial ag-
gregation of movement data, which can be explored
in an interactive visualization that creates legible flow
maps; (3) Image Series, where timelines are used
as the basis for mapping events over time, and the
dataset is represented through series of images. Guo
et al. (Guo et al., 2006) developed a tool called VIS-
STAMP which aid in the exploration and understand-
ing of spatiotemporal patterns. Their approach in-
cludes several visualizations within which one of geo-
graphic small multiple display; (4) Space-Time Cube,
developed by H
¨
agerstraand (H
¨
agerstraand, 1970) is a
three-dimensional diagram with time as the third spa-
tial dimension. He explored this technique to show
life histories of people and how people interact in
space and time; and (5) Real-Time Rendering of Dy-
namic 3D Scenes, which uses real-time animated 3D
rendering techniques. Weber et al. (Weber et al.,
2009) creates an interactive simulation of 4D cities,
which is based in 3D models of an urban environment
and its evolution through time.
3 THEMATIC MAPS
Thematic maps appeared in the second half of the
seventeenth century representing data in the natural
sciences, and can be defined as the representation of
attribute data on a base map. Thematic maps dis-
play qualitative or quantitative data. Their purpose
is to reveal patterns and frequencies in the geography
where they occur (Meirelles, 2013), to discover the
geographical structure of the subject, and to relate its
distribution on the map (Robinson, 1982).
The 1701 isoline map of magnetic fields by Ed-
mond Halley is considered the first thematic map.
These maps can be divided in: dot distribution
maps (Fry, 2004); graduated symbol maps (Brewer
and Campbell, 1998); choropleth maps (Brewer and
Pickle, 2002); isometric and isopleth maps (Mellier
et al., 1988); flow and network maps (Thorp, 2009);
and area and distance cartograms (Meirelles, 2013).
The first isopleth maps depicting population den-
sities were created by N. F. Ravn in 1857. The Gen-
eral Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans records from the
International Hydrographic Organization is another
isopleth example, which uses as a visual metaphor
for coloring “the deeper or higher, the darker”. It
shows the great ocean trenches of the western Pa-
cific and Japan Sea, and has numbered contours to
improve accuracy of reading (Tufte, 1990). In 2006,
Chris Lightfoot created a Travel-time Map that rep-
resents the time needed to travel from site A to site
B (Lightfoot, 2006). The visualization is drawn on a
base map where the color of each pixel depends on
the time spent, having warm colors to indicate short
journeys and cool colors for longer journeys.
For this project, we will only focus in the isopleth
maps, more specifically, in the isolines. Isopleth maps
are composed by a set of lines or areas that show
the distribution of values that cannot be referenced to
points. These lines, depict data that were not mea-
sured in those specific points, but were calculated in
relation to the area of collections. The calculated cen-
troid of each area is considered the data point for the
line construction (Meirelles, 2013). Some examples
of this technique can be seen in maps that represent
the mean temperatures or the average precipitation
levels. In 2013, the Department of Energy & Cli-
mate Change of England created an isopleth map that
shows the actual heat demand from buildings across
England (DECC, 2013). With this map developers
and planners can perceive which areas are suitable for
the development of local heat networks. Isoline maps,
are isopleths where there is no shading. Edmond Hal-
leys 1701 map of magnetic lines is considered the first
map to make use of lines of equal value to encode
Iso-edges for the Geovisualization of Consumptions
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