Factors in Design of Hardcopy Topographic Maps
Abstract
A literature survey on factors in map design, including visual coding techniques and assessment techniques, is summarized in this report, as the first step in improving legibility and usefulness of hardcopy (printed) topographic maps. Map design determinants are scale, interrelatedness of symbols, and a body of standardized symbols and modes of coding. Map scale influences fidelity, as small scale requires selection, simplification, and magnification of features. Clutter can be reduced by coding to differentiate information: color coding aids in identification and reduces location time; iconic and alphanumeric shape coding can be learned easily and are flexible; size coding requires considerable space and increases location time. Among map assessment techniques, opinion sampling is relatively inexpensive but does not measure actual performance, and theoretical analysis is a limited first step only. Empirical analysis measures performance with the map product, either by assessing performance directly or be measuring the map-reading skills which underlie performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA049621
Entities
People
- Lawrence M. Potash
- Thomas E. Jeffrey
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences