Osport.lt

[tukmir]

To:
International Orienteering Federation
Map Committee

The Romanian Orienteering Federation considers that maps are the main factor in the development of orienteering. For the past decades, Orienteering has made a lot of progress, as well as the maps which have become more and more complete and accurate due to the new and developed technologies. Photogrammetry has become more and more precise, orto-photogrammetry has been worked on with a higher resolution, GPS, LaserScan (Lidar), OCAD, PC Tablets, are just a few of the technologies that have undoubtedly changed the look of maps worldwide. But the new technologies have not only changed the way we orienteer, but also everything around us and the way we live.
Areas that decades ago were almost inaccessible, are now being mapped easily, using the ISOM norms in effect. Unfortunately, as a result of this, the maps with a scale of 1/15 000 have become more and more difficult to read when running on technical terrains, thus athletes began using the magnifier glass more often during the competitions, not only for fine orienteering but also for route selections.
Orienteering needs maps in order for it to develop. That is why any terrain where you can practice it is welcomed.
The maps cost money. Even though simple terrains are ideal for learning Orienteering and for maps with lower costs, more complex terrains play an integral part towards the progress of Orienteering, and contribute to discovering new thrills in this sport. New Orienteering enthusiasts become more truthful if the sport is always giving them something new. In fact, this is the essence of this sport. On a simple terrain, a map becomes obsolete much faster than it does on a more complex terrain. That is why although it may seem more expensive but in the long run a more technical map will always be a better investment for Orienteering.
The forest is not like an average sports complex. It’s different from country to country, from region to region, from district to district. That is why the ISOM norms must meet the necessities of all types of terrains.
Not adjusting the scale of the map to the terrain type is like making the football net smaller to make it more difficult to score.
A map must exactly reproduce the terrain, while the course setters and the organizers must follow exactly the characteristics of each race (long distance, classic, relay, and sprint).
Let’s not forget though the fact that the scale of 1/10 000 represents only an increase from 1/15 000 and nothing more.
The last revision of ISOM norms was done in 1982, based on the technologies in place at that time (e.g. hand drawn maps). That is why we believe a revision counting on all these aspects is absolutely necessary and beneficial to Orienteering.
The Map Commission must do everything in its power so Orienteering could remain the type of sport for which you only require a map and a compass, and not the type of sport for which you require a map, a compass, and a magnifier glass, without altering the quality of maps, and their readability. Only this way Orienteering can keep all the required physical qualities, without its technicality being altered.
That is why The Romanian Orienteering Federation, through its specialized commissions, suggests the following:
1. Adapting map’s scale to the terrain’s complexity, and the possibility of using the 1/10 000 scale on long distance races, (already used in many of the international competitions), when the complexity of the terrain requires it. Choosing the right scale, must be done based on the terrain’s complexity, and the feature density, not based on the course length.
2. Revising the ISOM standards according to the new technologies.
3. Reconsidering the sizes of the point features, so they won’t interfere with the other features on the map.
An object of 5-9 m must have a higher priority than a 1-5 m object when being drawn on the map.
An area of 112.5 m² or 225 m² must have a higher priority when compared to an object of 1-5m.
A good example is symbol 201 or 203 (9m) vs. 206 (1-2m)
All the point features vs. minimal sizes of 401, 403, 406, 408, 410 (1-5m vs. 112.5 m², respectively -225 m²).
3.1 Reconsidering the minimal sizes of the area features.
4. The possibility of using some symbols on 1/10 000 scale increased by only 25% (or even less) in technical terrains (size that was already successfully used at a world championship – WOC 2003). Do not use a rigid number to magnify symbols when migrating from 1:15000 to 1:10000 or 1:7500., a coefficient of 1-1.5 would be recommended (meaning that even the same size symbols could be used).
The first criterion for deciding the scale and size of symbols on a new map should be that the map must be readable at race speed without a magnifier glass.
5. Thorough analysis of chapter 3.1 in the ISOM standards to allow for a better implementation of other map scales used in competitions (1:10000 for international events and 1:2000 – 1:5000 for initiation maps) We consider that a 150% factor is too much for the technical areas on 1:10000 maps and too little for map scales under 1:5000.
6. Introducing a new chapter to specify the Controller’s role and control rules in finalizing Orienteering maps.
7. Revise symbols 103, 106, 203, 211, 402, 404, 407 and 409 to offer better readability.
Changing symbol 403 from 50% yellow to 70% yellow to offer better readability and to remain consistent with symbols 401, 402 and 404. Relief reading must be given priority on the map, especially in technical terrain and symbols 208, 210 must not hide contour lines.
8. Creating new symbols to improve readability.
Symbols 507.1 and 508.1 for rocky areas. In areas with many black symbols (stony areas, rock faces, small houses) symbols 507 and 508 drawn with black and red (or 50% purple) like it’s being done on many touristic maps.
Green patches (similar to symbol 420) combined with open land or rough open land (401 or 403) for semi open areas with undergrowth, perhaps with two degrees of intensity.
- Open land with little undergrowth
- Open land with a lot of undergrowth but with spaces for running at race speed (areas commonly seen in southern Europe)
Introducing a new colour for magnetic North lines so that it doesn’t hide contour lines and it can be easily distinguished in marshy or rocky areas .
9. Printing in 5 colours (Pantone) for technical terrains.
10. A direct collaboration between the Map Commission and the organizing committees at least for the terrain selection and race formats.
The Romanian Orienteering Federation has great satisfaction and appreciation for the consultation process started by IOF with all member federations for ISOM suggestions and we are confident that our comments will be given full attention by the IOF Map Commission. Please note that we are prepared to elaborate on the above points upon request.

Best Regards,
Constantin Alexandrescu
President,
Romanian Orienteering Federation