Map Design and Production Issues for the Utah Gap Analysis Project

Maps are essential in climate change research and policymaking, and are primary tools for communicating climate change information to the public. The consequences of cartographic design are potentially significant to understanding climate change and effectively informing policymakers. Yet, the cartographic design and quality of climate change maps have not been critically assessed nor systematically evaluated. We suggest that evaluating the quality of climate change maps is both timely and essential, and offer one approach as a demonstration. We use cartographic design principles to evaluate a ‘high visibility’ climate change map from the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Our specific goals are to demonstrate the need and value of cartographic critique, describe how such evaluation can be accomplished, and make a case for cartographers’ engagement with climate change scientists in mapping activities. We suggest a research and policy agenda for the cartographic evaluation and design of climate change maps.

Various editorial decisions made during the cartographic design process may lead to different interpretations of the same phenomena, potentially emphasizing one phenomenon at the expense of another. Such decisions occur at different stages of map development, including the selection of enumeration units, a form of data representation (map type), and map graphics, including color scales. This article presents the results of a user study examining the impact of selected map design choices – specifically: a level of spatial unit aggregation, a type of color scale, and a form of data presentation (a qualitative area map, a choropleth map, a cartogram, graduated symbols with choropleth colors) – on the accuracy of perceiving the dominance of a phenomenon shown on thematic maps. The study employed thematic maps visualizing two socially relevant topics: ethnonational diversity and presidential election results, each displaying two categories. The survey, conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing) method, involved 151 participants. Respondents were asked to identify which of the two categories was dominant on a given map. Response accuracy (identification of the actual dominant phenomenon), the perceived difficulty of the tasks, and the perceived magnitude of dominance were measured. Participants were also asked to describe the spatial distribution of the dominant phenomenon and indicate a map design preferred by them. Based on the collected responses, the analysis revealed statistically significant differences in metrics depending on the map designs tested. The tested map designs, therefore, vary in their degree of persuasiveness in portraying dominance. The article concludes by identifying the techniques that more or less effectively distort the information conveyed by thematic maps.

Tactile maps and diagrams need to be carefully designed in order to be readable by the visually impaired user. In the Tactile Inkjet Mapping Project, we attempt to provide a new orientation for tactile map design through a rigorous programme of experimental research on design issues ( cognitive tactualization approach). In this article we discuss three of our studies. The first study evaluates the use of different background materials for tactile graphics. The second study looks at the minimal perceptible distance between two lines. The third study investigates the optimal elevation (height off the paper) at which graphics are produced. We argue that experimental studies like these represent a necessary basis for the design of tactile maps.

Map design and usability issues are crucial when considering different device orientations. It is visible, especially in exploring the topographical space in landscape or portrait orientation on the mobile phone. In this study, we aim to reveal the main differences and similarities among participants’ performance in a map-based task. The study presents an original research scheme, including establishing conceptual assumptions, developing map applications with gaming elements, user testing, and visualizing results. It appears that the different phone orientation triggers different visual strategy. This transfers into decision-making about the path selection. It turned out that in landscape orientation, participants preferred paths oriented east–west. On the other hand, portrait orientation supported north–south path selection. However, considering the given task accomplishment, both mobile phones’ orientations are adequate for the exploration of topographical space.

A review of the last 50 years finds that the traditional breakdown of Soviet cartography into its specialized research disciplines no longer conforms to current needs. Soviet cartography has been divided historically into mathematical cartography, map science (the study of maps and their uses), map compilation and editing, map design and production. A growing specialization in cartography by thematic disciplines (geomorphic mapping, agricultural mapping, etc.) with widely differing requirements and principles of compilation and editing suggests the need for a restructuring of the research disciplines. In addition to mathematical cartography, concerned with map projections and map measurements, the new structure would include: technical cartography (the study of source materials, map design and production); natural-historic cartography (principles of compilation and editing of maps of the physical environment), and socioeconomic cartography (concerned with the mapping of human phenomena).

In 1991 the Bavarian Forest Administration decided to develop and introduce a Geographical Information System (FORST-GIS), with the purpose of automated and computer-based rationalized production of forest maps and the multiple use of processed digital data for various forest applications. The development and installation of FORST-GIS was achieved in 1993. The FORST-GIS has been operating for six years now. During the first years of its use it was possible to work off the backlog of map production. Besides the continuous increase of production capacity it was planned to reduce map production costs and staff. These goals have been achieved. In addition, the GIS database can be linked with forest office data, forest valuation data or inventory data. Nowadays FORST-GIS is more and more used for making the data available for more common applications, such as decisions on silviculture or for providing argumentary data in forest policy and for private forest promotion. Meanwhile FORST-GIS has become a large GIS database for forest applications. The article gives a survey concerning application targets, concepts, main database, data digitization, map production and the actual status of FORST-GIS.

In this paper, we discuss the development of electronic atlas in China, with focus on the issues of visualization. We particularly categorise this development into four periods, and then analyse the characters in each period and discuss the visualization issues. The four periods are highlighted: 1) Infant period ( 2001) characterized as web mapping and adaptive map design with products of Internet maps and atlas as well as adaptive maps. It is obvious that the development follows the logical way from static to dynamic, and even real time visualization, from single user to multiple users, from presentation to exploration for effective communication and knowledge construction. Current research and development projects are focused on customisation of atlas information systems for real-time tasks, Internet operability, small displays and mobile environments. The major challenges involved in each of such customisation processes are identified and commented in relation to the further development of visualization.

Many map makers seek to share their map design efforts by distributing styles, fonts, templates, software, tips, and other sorts of instructions. For example, <www.mapsymbols.com> offers links to a variety of symbol and font design efforts by mapmakers who use ESRI's GIS products. In this article, I will reflect on the format for offering map design assistance that I have used in ColorBrewer (Figure 1). ColorBrewer <www.ColorBrewer.org> is a web tool for selecting color schemes for thematic maps. It has elicited a trickle of enthusiastic e-mail from pleased users who tell me that their maps are improved, and they are relieved to save time on a design challenge for which they are not confident of their skills. ColorBrewer is described in detail in two papers (Harrower and Brewer, in press; Brewer et al. 2003). It is described briefly here to provide context for my reflections on a transition in cartography toward assisting people who want to represent their information spatially but who have little or no training in the conventions and principles of map design and data representation.

Schematic drawings of route directions are one of the most common forms of graphic communication. People make sketches to communicate geographical ideas, and professionally designed schematic maps give orientation to thousands of users of a public transport system. Creating a schematic map for representing a transport network may be seen as a straightforward task; however, the underlying design of such maps can be quite complex. Map designers apply, consciously or subconsciously, various cartographic generalization techniques to emphasize important information and to improve the clarity of map content. At present, traditional mapping and GIS literature offers very little guidance to a map designer seeking cartographic rules or practical ideas for representing the elaborate route data of public transport systems schematically. This article aims to contribute to the design challenges of schematic, route-based mapping. Information about schematic maps and symbolization of route-based data is given. A case study of schematic map design for a public transport network is presented to show the need for support of cartographic science for the creation of schematic transport maps.

This paper presents the initial findings of a design cognition study involving two groups of high school juniors: those who have taken pre-engineering courses and those who have not. Equal numbers of dyad teams from both groups engaged in design-only sessions in which they generated solutions in response to the same design challenge. The design sessions were video and audio recorded. The recordings were transcribed and then segmented and coded using the Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) ontologically-based design issues and design processes coding scheme. The students' design cognition was measured from the distributions of the design issues and design processes. Both the design issues and design processes were compared between the two high school student groups. Additionally, the results of the analyses were compared to baseline undergraduate engineering students. The results of this study did not reveal significant differences in either design issues or processes between the two high school student groups. However, when compared with the baseline undergraduate engineering students, there were significant differences between these groups with respect both to issues and processes and to the cognitive effort in their problem/solutions spaces.

Based on a paper presented to the 47th ANZAAS conference, this article reviews the coordination of geologists and cartographers in sharing the responsibility for selecting appropriate symbolic languages in the deSign of geological maps. The most important criterion is the user's ability to analyse the map, but few users in fact have much background in either geology or cartography. The authors point to the need for map makers to take a hard look at the actual needs of map users and the psychology of symbol and colour perception, at the methods for organizing geological information and the limits to its storage and availability in maps, at possible substitutes for maps including computer products, and at attitudes of management and authors towards map production and the consumer.

Today, cities increasingly adopt branding strategies to stay competitive. Maps hold unique advantages in shaping and communicating city brands, as they offer a powerful means to present urban identity in a truthful, multidimensional, and holistic manner. Despite this potential, research and case studies on city branding map design remain scarce. To address this gap, this study presents a cartographic exploration of city branding map design for Suzhou, an internationally renowned tourist city in China. It details key aspects of the design process, including thematic content selection, binding, layout, symbolism, color schemes, and visual hierarchy, and distilling local insights and practical cartographic design lessons. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explicitly initiate map design practices oriented toward city branding, offering fresh insights at both theoretical and methodological levels.

Three characteristics of hardcopy maps, scale, interrelatedness of symbols, and standardized symbology, are reviewed. Their implications for future map-related research and design are discussed. Research on types of coding used in visual displays is discussed in terms of its applicability to hardcopy maps. Specific suggestions for hardcopy map design are based on the literature comparing different kinds of map products.

Semiconductor technologies for 5G implementation at millimeter wave frequencies – Design challenges and current state of work

An understanding of geology is very important to minimise design and construction uncertainties and challenges for any site. WSP was engaged to deliver a detailed design of an overpass bridge and associated structures to replace a very busy rail level crossing for a rail track in a metro area of Southeast Queensland (SEQ). The design services included design of an overpass bridge, earthworks, approach embankments, retaining walls, etc. Considering the design life of 100 years for these structures, a detailed geotechnical investigation (GI) and interpretation of the GI data were required to be fed into the design. As the site was located in an urban area, carrying out geotechnical investigation was not an easy task. It required dealing with various stakeholders, local community, and working night shifts to manage technical requirements and public expectations. The project conceptual ground model benefited from some previous intrusive site investigations. However, WSP noted that the previous boreholes had limited rock coring and had relatively un-explained SPT refusals in soil material at depths of less than 10 metres below ground level. WSP scoped additional geotechnical investigation as per the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) geotechnical design standards and project specifications. When the geotechnical investigation was complete, the encountered materials were weakly and moderately cemented units, interlayered with poorly consolidated materials that are typically dominated by Residual (Sandy CLAY) to about 25 m below ground level overlying very low strength (UCS &lt; 1.5 MPa) Sedimentary rock (Sandstone/Siltstone/Claystone) to the borehole termination depth of approximately 40 m bgl. This created additional challenges for pile foundation design and constructability issues. This paper discusses how the challenges during geotechnical investigation were overcome and interpretation of the encountered strata for feeding into the design to manage geotechnical uncertainties considering constructability within a constrained environment.