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
