AUSTRALIAN ROGAINING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013 MAP PRODUCTION AND COURSE
PLANNING STRATEGY
FROM:
ROD GRAY
DATE:
JULY 20 2011 (UPDATED SEPTEMBER 29 2011)
This mapping process has been defined in order to establish a clear process and management tool for
the production of a high standard purpose drawn rogaining map. The process also recognises the
limited availability of people, mapping skills and information resources available in FNQ.
The mapping strategy assumes land owner agreements are in place for use of area required for the
map production and event.
1.0
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2.
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Prior to mapping program:
Form mapping committee comprising mapping, course planning, and vetting members.
Establish mapping team (possible competitors)
Establish course planning team (non-competitors)
Establish course vetting team (non-competitors not in course planning team)
2.0
Course planning
1. Calculate estimated winners distance from terrain type historical running rates.
2. Plan total number of control sites and average control spacing
3. Due to terrain type, vegetation density and runnability recommend using equidistant grid
(dice 5) system of course planning
4. Select control sites
5. Adjust control sites to ensure maximum probable exits, with a minimum of two.
On completion of map:
6. Field check control site environs, adjust where required
7. Field mark acceptable control sites
3.0
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16.
The map production process is summarized in the following steps:
Define area available and suitable for event
Establish map parameters scale, contour interval, sheet size
Definition of map area
Establish mapping/planning timetable
Collect all available mapping information – existing maps, GIS info.,
Compile base map in OCAD
Issue for review
Establish standard map entities applicable for terrain
Produce fieldwork plans
Coordinate and carry out field work.
Draw draft map
Issue for review
Field check as required
Apply control sites from course planning to map area.
Field check control site environs
Produce final map draft
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3.1
Define area available and suitable for event
A broad area suitable for the event is to be defined based on land access, suitable terrain, topographic
boundaries, vegetation type, and seasonal access.
Competitor access and possible Hash House locations should also be considered.
3.2
Establish map parameters scale, contour interval, sheet size
Based on a combination of terrain detail, type, elevation range optimal map scale and contour interval
can be determined. This will then determine sheet size based on map area.
3.3
Definition of map area
The actual map area can now be determined using
 Preliminary course planning calculations of expected winner’s distance.
 Map area
 Sheet size
 Natural boundaries, watercourses, topographic, roads, out of bounds etc
3.4
Establish mapping/planning timetable
The timetable for all function is to be established and agreed by the mapping and event committee to
ensure timely completion.
3.5
Collect all available mapping information – existing maps, GIS information
All available data is to be collected whether digital or hard copy. This information is critical to
facilitating the mapping process, particularly elevation (contour) information which is the most
expensive and/or time consuming to produce if not already available.
All sources need to be investigated, public, government, and private enterprise.
If it is deemed that insufficient information is available photogrammetry is an option providing aerial
photo stereo pairs are available.
3.6
Compile base map
A base map is to be produced with all available information. This can be done in OCAD in the office
with the only field work requirement being establishment of coordinates on the ground by GPS of a
sufficient number of identifiable points. These are then used to spatially locate all data for the map
compilation and geo-reference the final map. (WGS84)
The base map would be drawn to as close as possible to the mapping standards expected to be
established for the map.
3.7
Issue for review
The base map prepared for field work is to be reviewed by the mapping committee.
3.8
Establish standard map entities applicable for terrain
The mapping committee will establish standard map entities suitable for the event considering terrain
and expected map features. The map entities are broadly grouped under
 Man-made- buildings, structures, roads, fences, power lines
 Water – watercourses, dams
 Vegetation – forest, clearings, thick vegetation (classes based on runnability)
 Rock – Cliffs, significant features
 Topography – contours, earth features
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
Access – Out of bounds, crossing points, taped routes.
A detailed list of map entities (basis for final map legend) is to be established and drawn up before the
issuance of field work base map to ensure fieldwork standardization.
3.9
Produce fieldwork plans
Field work plans are to be produced at appropriate scale (normally X2 of final map scale) in black and
white.
3.10 Coordinate and carry out field work.
The field work team is to be coordinated to conduct fieldwork in an agreed timeframe. Fieldwork is to
be allocated on mapping experience and time available by each individual. If possible a group
fieldwork session should be carried out to align methodology and mapping standards.
3.11 Draw draft map
Compilation of fieldwork sheets into a draft map can be made as field working proceeds. Data conflicts
can be resolved to continually improve the process as well as map quality.
3.12 Issue for review
On completion of fieldwork a map draft is to be issued for review by the mapping committee.
Review results will be addressed in the field checking and final map drafting process.
3.13 Field check as required
A second round of field working/checking may be required if the map draft is seen to be not to an
acceptable standard.
3.14 Apply control sites from course planning to map area.
The theoretical course planning parameters can now be applied to the map area, and adjusted to
produce a high standard of course. Each control site location is to be examined in detail for
applicability (safety, map representative, maximum exits, navigation difficulty, and scenic attributes)
3.15 Field check control site environs
All control sites must be field vetted to ensure the applicability parameters are met (safety, map
representative, maximum exits, navigation difficulty, scenic attributes).Control site checks should
include a check list of evaluation points as well as fieldwork amendments/additions, site
recommendation and finalised control description. The vetting process where possible should include
someone who has not been involved in the course planning process. All control site locations should
be marked with semi-permanent marking.
3.16 Produce final map draft
The final map will be produced when all field work and proposed controls site checks are completed
and sites finalised.
4.0
Tasks to be completed
1. Mapping schedule
2. Establishment of committee and mapping teams
3. Production of draft map entities (description and symbol)
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5.0
Mapping Schedule
ARC 2013
Map Production and Course Planning Schedule
1.
Define area available and suitable for event
2.
Establish map parameters scale, contour interval, sheet size
3.
Definition of map area
4.
Establish mapping/planning timetable
5.
Collect all available mapping information
6.
Compile base map in OCAD
7.
Issue for review
8.
Establish standard map entities applicable for terrain
9.
Produce fieldwork plans
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10. Coordinate and carry out field work.
11. Draw draft map
12. Issue for review
13. Field check as required
14. Apply control sites from course planning to map area.
15. Field check control site environs
16. Produce final map draft
Administrative
Field work
Cartography
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6.0
Mapping Committee and Mapping Team
The mapping committee will one member from each position in the mapping team. The mapping team
should be made up of the following members:
Position
Mapping coordinator
Cartographer
Fieldworker
Course setter
Course vetter
Minimum
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Optimum
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4
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Key points for the mapping committee are:
 Meet regularly to review progress
 Assign additional resources as required to maintain scheduled progress.
 Those individuals wishing to compete in ARC2013 may participate in the mapping process in
all components except course setting and vetting.
7.0
Map Entities
It is recommended that the following standard map entities be used for draft cartography and initial
fieldwork. These entities may be modified if the need arises. (The shaded entities are required during
fieldwork).
7.1
Man-made structures
7.1.1 Highway
7.1.2 Sealed road
7.1.3 Gravel road
7.1.4 4WD track
7.1.5 Path
7.1.6 Building
7.1.7 Fence
7.1.8 Power line
7.1.9 Place name
7.2 Earth
7.2.1 Contour
7.2.2 Index contour
7.2.3 Gravel pit
7.2.4 Spot height
7.3 Water
7.3.1 Perennial stream
7.3.2 Annual stream
7.3.3 Body of water
7.3.4 Swamp
7.4 Vegetation
7.4.1 Clearing
7.4.2 Open forest
7.4.3 Thick vegetation
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7.5
Rock
7.5.1 Cliff – significant
7.5.2 Rock feature
7.6
Access
7.6.1 Out of Bounds
7.6.2 Crossing point
7.6.3 Marked route
7.7
Course
7.7.1 Hash house
7.7.2 Control site
7.7.3 Control description
7.7.4 Water point
7.7.5 Vehicle support route
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