CONTROLLING
THE ORIENTEERING
COURSE MAP
There is a need for a stricter
enforcement of the rules
An evaluation of IOF 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
• Middle distance
1:15000, 1:10000*
• Relay
1:15000, 1:10000*
• Sprint
1: 5000 or 4000
*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 don’t 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
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–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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?