On-demand Cartography for Trekkers

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. Pedestrian 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 indication of ski maps. Moreover, contour lines were highlighted for crosscountry 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.