E. S. Bos - SYMBOL DESIGN, A LOGICAL AND
SYSTEMATIC PROCESS
The design of symbols plays an essentiai role in the
entire process of map design. At least 8 factors have
to be analysed carefully and System atically when
designing symbols: map content; geo-data charac-
teristics; Visual perception levels; Visual variables;
psycho-physical perception laws; conventional
associations and standardisation; map use require-
ments; production and cost aspects.
The 8 factors are placed in a logical sequence, for-
ming together the symbol design process. Following
the entire process minimizes failures in a haphazard
treatment of the subject. It promotes symbol design
as an intellectual cartographic process.
C. A. Blok - MAP DESIGN FOR THE VISUALLY
HANDICAPPED
There is a growing interest in mapping for the blind.
For various reasons partially seeing people may be
considered as a separate target group. Up to this
moment, not much attention has been devoted to this
group.
Mapping for the visually handicapped is not just
making a raised and enlarged copy of a map for the
sighted. Because of differences in their orientation
and navigation in the real world, some other Infor
mation has to be gathered. Furthermore, differences
in map reading do have important consequences for
map design. In this article, emphasis is laid upon
aspects to be considered in order to obtain legible
maps, adjusted to the abilities of the visually handi
capped.
There has been some standardization of symbols
already. Although standardization will be useful,
especially for the map reader, prospects for further
standardization are limited at the moment. Important
areas of concern for further development are indi-
cated.
C. A. Blok, J. Heuvelmans and D. P. Kootstra -
RESEARCH ON THE CONNOTATION OF SYMBOLS
ON A VW-TOURIST MAP, SCALE 1 50 000
This paper has been presented in Rolduc at the 1986
Study Days on symbol design and the use of colour,
organized by the Dutch Cartographic Society (NVK).
It deals with the testing of symbols by means of
psychological methods to measure connotation without
or with limited use of the map legend. For the evalua-
tion of point symbols a so-called comprehension was
used with a free choice of referents, whereas for line
and area symbols a comprehension method was chosen
with a restricted number of predetermined referents.
Symbols were tested 'sec' (individually, on a white
background) and, in case the criterion of a least 50%
correct responses in the 'sec'-test was not met, also
'in situ' (symbols appearing in a fragment of the
map). Data were collected in four test sessions with
160 respondents in total. Results show that only
about 45% of the symbols (28 out of 62) are inter-
preted correctly by at least 50% of the respondents.
Possible explanations for the results are included
here.
M. M. G. J. Bakermans - LIMITATIONS IN THE USE
OF MODERN TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS IN RESEARCHING
MAN-MADE LANDSCAPES
Topographie maps and their successive editions are
a very useful tool in landscape research. For re-
searchers it is necessary to be aware of the charac-
teristics, reliability and comparability of topographic
maps as representations of the landscape. This
article presents some main results of a study of the
limitations of the use of modern 1 :25 000 topographic
maps in research of man-made landscapes in The
Netherlands. The representation of field boundaries
on maps of four different types of landscape was
chosen as an example. A major conclusion of this
study was that field boundaries, as represented on
maps of different areas or on various editions of the
same map sheet, do not always bear the same
relationship to reality. Factors like nature and com-
plexity of the landscape, subjective aspects of Inter
pretation and change of specifications may be used to
explain this outcome.
M. A. Damouseaux and H. T. C. van Stokkom -
ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING IN THE SURVEY
DEPARTMENT OF RIJKSWATERSTAAT
The Survey Department of Rijkswaterstaat traditio-
nally produces a large quantity of base maps and is
now also meeting a growing demand for thematic maps.
In this article attention is focused on environmental
mapping, leading to Single maps as wel as maps in
reports and official publications. Three kinds of
environmental mapping are distinguished:
1. inventory mapping of one or more components of
the environment;
2. mapping of the quality of a component;
3. mapping of administrative boundaries in respect
of environmental management.
Düring the past 10 to 15 years there is a steady change
from only mapping isolated features and problems to
a more integrated approach, as a consequence of the
development of the government's environmental
policy.
62
KT 1986. XII. 3
