THE ORIENTEERING COURSE MAP

There is a need for a stricter enforcement of the rules

An evaluation of IOCONTROLLINGF Event Maps found an increasing number of map deviations ie
Non standard symbols Wrong line widths Wrong colours Non-sharp lines Overly detailed maps Graphic minimum dimensions not respected Wrong map scales applied Wrong size of control circles Area symbols too small Poor generalisation Inferior quality paper
Ref: IOF Map Commission

Is the map important? YES

A standardized map is the basis for orienteering as an international event A map with deviations = unfair competition
Ref: IOF Map Commission

Controller to ensure the Course Map complies with the rules

International Specification for Orienteering Maps - Foot-O Sprint (1:5000-4000) Ski-O MTBO - Check list for controlling the map making of major IOF events IOF Control Descriptions 2004 - Course marking Competition Rules for Orienteering Australia Foot Orienteering Events - Section 15. Maps - Section 17. Restricted areas and routes - Section 18. Control descriptions OA Guidelines - Digital Printing Policy - Operational Manual 6.3

Requirements of an Orienteering map

The map must: give a picture of the terrain be accurate use IOF map symbols & scales be legible and be up to date

The map must give a picture of the terrain

The map must be accurate

absolute and relative accuracy
Absolute accuracy is out by 85-90m at control 24. Map distortions?
Relative accuracy appears OK as orienteers found the control!

The map must be accurate

Use a GPS to check map accuracy and correct location of controls Check magnetic north declination Check the spacing of North lines & breaks in lines

The map must use IOF map symbols & scales

an international symbol set is a symbol set developed over many years no deviations = fair competition revision of ISOM 2000 to consider: technological changes in map production new event formats ie sprint & middle add new, modify or delete symbols map scale

The map must use the correct scale for the event format
Long distance 1:15000, 1:10000* with approval** for elites 1:10000* for < M/W16 and >M/W40 1:15000, 1:10000* 1:15000, 1:10000* 1: 5000 or 4000 Middle distance Relay Sprint

*A 1:10000 map is a strict enlargement of a 1:15000 map

**Approval is needed for M/W Elite junior & senior and M/W 17-39A in the Australian Championships to use a scale other than 1:15000

The map must be legible

Legibility is dependent on:
the Quality of the Mapping the Quality of the Printing the Quality of the Paper

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping

a few well drawn features are better than a lot of small detail that may clutter the map or disguise the shape of the landform
Eduard Imhof, Swiss cartographer

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping
Maps get more and more detailed. I dont know if this is the right way to go, but it is a fact. Thierry Gueorgiou Dec 2007

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping
- What features to map as per ISOM: min heights & areas - How the feature is to be drawn as per ISOM: symbol size, line width

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping

the Quality of the Printing (1) off-set spot colour printing - Is the only method approved for IOF Foot-O ranking events

(2) other printing methods - ie 4 colour (CMYK) digital, digital offset (digital colour press),
laser printers, inkjet printers, colour copiers

- Laser printers now commonly used in Australia - Print quality is highly variable

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping

the Quality of the Printing

- For Level A events:
digital printing is OK if there is no significant loss of line quality, legibility, colour appearance and map durability
OA Digital Printing Policy Operational Manual 6.3

- 1:10000 maps more likely to be suitable for digital printing

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping the Quality of the Printing

the Quality of the Paper

Legibility factors to consider: bright white paper (not off-white) for best colour contrast matt finish (not glossy or shiny) Related factors texture or feel of the paper, foldability paper thickness / weight durability of paper in all conditions water resistance of paper, need for a plastic bag (0.10mm) waterproof paper

An example legibility of contours

Difficult to calibrate dot size in some digital printers Cartography may need to reflect printing method and paper quality Use the same print setting for all maps used at an event

The map must be up to date

Changes to the extent and density of vegetation

Impact of fire, flooding & erosion Sprint maps need constant review Seasonal changes New tracks, roads, man made features ..

Quality control tools

for use by the Controller and Planner

OA colour swatch OA colour purple swatch

IOF Map Commission Print Tech Project test sheet

Quality control tools

OA colour swatch
Check colours on a map by comparing to the OA off-set spot colour swatch

Quality control tools

OA colour purple swatch

CMYK 43 91 00 00
CMYK 30 100 15 00 Now recommended

Quality control tools

IOF Map Commission Print Tech Project test sheet template Compare a digital test print with the IOF offset spot colour test sheet Check for: Sharp edges to lines and symbols Correct colours Even colours No stripes, holes, bubbles Resolution - clear thin lines, no moire effect, no zig zag edges Vertical & horizontal accuracy Do contour lines have the same appearance over the colour screens nb brown is often a problem over mid & dark green And more..

Some recent map deviations in Australia

Non standard symbols used for horse jumps ie elongated H or box

- use fence symbol Colours not adjusted for printer a common problem when using 4 colour Laser printers Fuzzy lines use a better printer! Sprint map scale of 1:3000 - must be 1:4000 or 1:5000 Vegetation area symbols too small for legibility - leave off map or redraw with respect to minimum dimensions Map scale of 1:10000 with 1:15000 map symbols - a 1:10000 map must be a strict enlargement of a 1:15000 map Man made features when used not defined - the legend or map notes must describe the feature ie pole Can not incorporate ISOM fence symbols with Sprint maps - Sprint only have two: Passable & Impassable

Course marking considerations

Circle size, line width and text may be 150% for an enlarged map
- otherwise may need to change the control descriptions

Do not cover important map detail

- use overprinting effect or cut out line segments

Course marking considerations

Can only use control features that are obvious in the field and accurately shown on the map. Dangerous objects and areas to be marked on the map and flagged in the field Controller and Course setter should use the same software
Map: OCAD Course: OCAD, Condes, Corpse Have a system to track updates, corrections, changes

Using map subsets

Subset (and all maps) to have a
Title Scale ratio (Bar scale highly recommended) Contour interval North lines Correct spacing of N lines 1:15000 - 500m 1;10000 - 250m 1:4000 & 1:5000 -150m Legend, or if insufficient space print as a separate sheet Date of mapping, with updates Credits: mapper, map owner, land holder Notes on Special symbol(s) if used

Using map subsets

Some more considerations:
Ensure sufficient space between the map edge and controls or likely route choices Avoid covering part of the legend with the control description Keep the number of map subsets to a minimum
easier to manage, less chance of mistakes

Map subset should fit an A4 or A3 page

note: 1:15000/A4 will fit on to an 1:10000/A3

What is your decision as controller?

Should a Sprint map be used for a Middle Distance event? On the Sprint map below are competitors allowed to cross the Impassable wall on leg 19 to 20? Competitor safety?

drawn as per ISOM: symbol size, line width

The map must be legible

the Quality of the Mapping

the Quality of the Printing

(1) off-set spot colour printing - Is the only method approved

for IOF Foot-O ranking events

(2) other printing methods - ie 4 colour (CMYK) digital,

digital offset (digital colour press), laser printers, inkjet printers, colour copiers - Laser printers now