To the Map Committee IOF
ISOM 2000 and Maps in 1:10’000
Introduction
In recent years, the character of orienteering has changed, stimulated by the introduction of the new discipline middle distance:
 Orienteering has become more important, compared to running.
Smaller areas with more details are used for O events.
The predominant map scale has moved from 1:15,000 to 1:10,000.
More details are given on the maps.
The phrase “A terrain that cannot be represented adequately according to ISOM 2000 is not well suited for orienteering” is no longer valid.
Problem
ISOM 2000 has not yet followed the development of orienteering. It still requires maps in 1:10,000 made in the same style as in 1:15,000, with dimensions and symbols enlarged to 150%. Such maps are not ideal for the new style of orienteering. This results in a growing discrepancy between the theoretical concept of ISOM 2000 and daily practice in many countries. IOF should react to this.
Possible solutions
Mappers have used various solutions for this problem:
- Further enlarging maps, e.g. to 1:7,500, while using symbols enlarged to 150% instead of 200%.
Examples: National championships 2000 Austria, World Cup 2004 Dresden/Germany, one map of Swiss Orienteering Week 2006.
- Showing more details in 1:10,000 than in 1:15,000, but still using symbols enlarged to 150%, thus making the maps illegible.
Examples: offset test print for WMOC 06 (embargoed area)
- Using dimensions and symbols enlarged to 120 - 140% only, instead of 150%.
Examples: World Military Championship 2000 Croatia, World Military Championships 2004 Netherlands, WMOC 2004 Italy, the majority of maps in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Solution 3) is clearly the best way to solve the problem. Cartography teaches that a linear enlargement of all features on a map does not please the human eye. Some differentiation is necessary, e.g. with regard to line thickness and size of small symbols.
Proposal
It is too early to change ISOM 2000 in a mandatory way for 1:10,000, but for some time the mappers should be given more freedom. It is proposed therefore that for a limited test period of e.g. three years, maps of detailed terrain in 1:10,000 may use dimensions and symbols enlarged to 125 – 135% only, thus deviating from ISOM 2000. For IOF events, approval by the Event Advisor is necessary. For national events, the national federations have to nominate persons or a committee whose approval is required. Before the end of the test period, the situation should be re-evaluated, examples of maps should be compared, and a decision should be taken. ISOM 2000 should be adapted then correspondingly.
Orest Kotylo,
Ukraine, 8.02.2006
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