Analysis on the Effect of Map Projection System for Area Calculation

Abstract

Map projection is required for modeling the earth from sphere into flat form. Out of so many types of projection systems, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) is the most common map projection system used in Indonesia. The concept of Mercator projection system is to maintain the angle but cause distortion on the area and distance. This will become problem if it is used for calculating an area that require minimum distortion, especially on a large scale. This study aims to find out the effect of the projection system for any scale to the area, and find out the best projections system in Indonesia. In this paper, the area was calculated using 72 projection systems with various scale using MATLAB software. The reference area that considered true was the polygon area of an ellipsoid so the difference between area of ellipsoid and projection can be known. The projection systems that give minimum distortion are the most optimum result. Based on the study, the most suitable projection system for calculating the area with minimal distortion is Collignon for 1: 250,000 scale and 1: 50,000, Eckert II projection system for 1: 25,000 scale and Equal-area Conic Albers Standard projection system for scale 1: 5,000.

Comparison of the Karney Polygon Method and the Shoelace Method for Calculating Area

“…Still, the drawback of the Karney method is that the formula is difficult to understand, and when using the Shoelace method, the formula is relatively easier to understand. The two methods used above can also be compared with other methods proposed by Kin et al [15], Lumban et al [16], and Kin et al [17].…”

Calculation of Central Java Province Region Area Using Shoelace Formula Based on the Gadm Database

“…Using the R program package made by Karney will indeed be more practical and quicker without selecting the coordinates of the boundaries of the area, but Karney polygon method is not an easy-to-understand method for determining area. The two methods used above can also be compared with other methods proposed in [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], and [21].…”