Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
On-demand Cartography for Trekkers
Catherine Dominguès, Charlotte Hoarau
Institut Géographique National, Laboratoire COGIT
73, avenue de Paris. 94160 Saint Mandé France
catherine.domingues@ign.fr, charlotte.hoarau@ign.fr
Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a method for identifying the specific needs of a
community from a user survey, and adapting maps accordingly. This
method was applied to four different groups of trekkers: walkers, road
cyclists, cross-country bikers, and recreational trekkers. Relevant concepts,
criticisms and expectations for each group were identified using natural
language processing and lexicometry methods and tools. Suggestions for
adapting maps focus on data selection and graphic representation. Pedes-
trian trails were emphasized using trail-marking signs as graphical symbols
and adding numbers which refer to additional information. Specific trails
were added to the cross-country biking map using the difficulty level indi-
cation of ski maps. Moreover, contour lines were highlighted for cross-
country bikers to help them to understand relief. The road cyclist map was
designed at a 1/50 000 scale with generalized data. The slope of cycling
paths was indicated by a diverging color scheme to convey the difficulty of
different sections of road. This paper describes part of an on-demand map
making process and illustrates it for a specific community, trekkers. It has
been shown that it is possible to select data and define radical graphic
choices as long as the community is targeted enough to have the same
needs and wishes.
1- Background and objectives: on-demand cartography
Users have many reasons to request on-demand maps. The map may have
specific uses (walking map, biking map, urban project implantation map,
