Attachment-G_Wayside_Map_Standards.pdf

A collection of guidelines established to create cartographic consistency across the National Park Service.

Wayside Exhibit Map Standards

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior www.nps.gov/carto v2.0

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Wayside Exhibit Map Standards National Park Service | Harpers Ferry Center version 2.0 | published 2022 contact our cartography group with questions or comments hfc_cartography@nps.gov

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Introduction

Why map standards The intent of the NPS Wayside Map Standards is to establish a common language with National Park Service maps developed by the Publications and Media Development divisions at Harpers Ferry Center. Visitors will likely use a combination of wayside maps, published maps (particularly those found in Unigrid brochures), signs, and digital applications such as the official NPS mobile app. Map standards should serve as a guide to mapping, not as a hard-and-fast set of rules.

What’s unique about wayside maps The differences between the multiple standards are due to the different functions of waysides, publications, and digital applications. Unlike printed or digital maps, wayside maps can only be used on-site and cannot be carried away with the visitor for further reference. The wayside audience is a pedestrian audience. The “You Are Here” indicator is the most important feature on a wayside map. Orientation and thematic or story driven maps should provide only the necessary information to assist a visitor traveling from the site to point B or understanding the landscaped significance to story. Wayside maps work best when they are site-specific and have a clear focus. They should not include all the information you would see in a photograph or on the ground. Only those elements which are relevant to the purpose of the map should be shown.

Planning a Map Determine what geographical information and labels to include on the map. These are not design decisions at this point, but rather informational choices. Only those elements which are relevant to the purpose of the map should be shown. Gather resource maps to be used for base information, keeping in mind that these reference maps were created for different purposes. Consider the wording used on the map to be sure it doesn’t conflict with the signage used in the park or the wording used in the exhibit text. Refer to the official park publication for consistency among media.

It is helpful to have written list of all features (park areas, open water areas, drainages, roads, trails etc.) and labels with accurate spellings. All place names shall be spelled according to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. A map compilation can be a very helpful tool for conveying the map content to a cartographer.

HFC has created a Map Planning Worksheet for gathering and documenting the information below.

The worksheet is handy tool in collecting critical information for creating an effective wayside exhibit map.

Orientation It is preferable to orient most maps with north at the top, however Wayside maps often work better when oriented to match the direction of the wayside. The following guidelines should be used to determine how to orient a wayside map.

1. Planning and Design Guidelines http://geonames.usgs.gov/ http://geonames.usgs.gov/ https://www.nps.gov/subjects/hfc/upload/Wayside-Map-Plannign-Worksheet.pdf

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Under the following circumstances, a map should be oriented North:

1. Maps which show a large area (entire park or an area that includes features that cannot be seen from the location of the wayside).

2. Maps used in more than one location with different ‘You Are Here’ indicators.

3. Maps used on upright wayside exhibits where the base/panel can be oriented north.

A map should be oriented in the direction of the viewer when:

1. It shows a small area with features that can be readily seen from the location of the wayside.

2. It is used on an upright exhibit base/panel cannot be oriented North.

Production Requirements

Map Accuracy Regardless of whether a map derives from geospatial or analogue sources, it must be accurate.

Putting information on maps by “eyeballing” it in is not permissible. In general, all source data shall come from know geospatial sources including data from the NPS and or USGS. Maps for orientation by boat or aircraft must clearly state that they are not intended for navigation.

Software and File Preparation Map creation and data processing can be performed in a variety of software platforms, including programs for graphic design, 3D rendering, and geographic information systems (GIS). However, all final maps for 2D presentation must be delivered in the latest Adobe Software including Illustrator and Photoshop. Map information should be organized in annotated layers for easy editing.

All overlay information such as labels, symbols, trails, roads shall remain as vector information for easy editing and revision in future versions. Background and other area features maybe vector or raster information depending on the style of map (image, 3D render, 2D shapes). Both Photoshop and Illustrator have the capability to work with both vector and raster data. Do not flatten files for delivery or placement into other programs. Retain all layers in native formats.

Separate layers should be developed for each feature type. For example, all drainages of the same type should be on one layer and all drainage labels should be on a separate layer. Layers should be named the same as the feature on the layer, followed by the color and line specifications. Always work at actual scale. Never create a map to be reproduced at a different scale.

For maps which will bleed to the edge of the panel, labels and features should be placed at least 1-3/8” from the outside edge.

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Always show dashed linework that intersects with other map features as touching. It may be necessary to adjust a few of the dash lengths. Never leave a short or extra long dash hanging.

Generalizing or simplifying geographic features may be necessary to clearly separate, for example, a road or trail which parallels a drainage. Never misrepresent intersections. Trails and roads must have accurate intersections, i.e. showing whether a trail junction will be a fork or a t-intersection.

In most cases, waysides that include maps are fabricated as digital prints. In rare cases maps may be created as a combination of four-color process and flat colors for porcelain. Since these decisions will affect how the map is designed, the production methods should be identified as early in the planning and design process as possible.

Graphic and Type Specifications Specifications and samples for color, typography, line weight, scale, legends, north arrows, call-out boxes, and area color schemes such as deserts and forests are contained in the Adobe Illustrator NPS Wayside Exhibit starter file. Many of the layers including roads, trails, and drainages include automatic styles or appearances. For example, draw a no stroke, no fill line in any of the trails layers and the line will automatically take on the correct style. For more information on using appearances and targeted layers, refer to Adobe’s resource page on appearance attributes.

Scale All elements contained in the Illustrator starter file are scaled to accommodate all sizes of wayside exhibits at normal viewing distances with direct approach to the wayside exhibit). Do not reduce the size of items to fit a layout or graphic boundary. The size of all items are designed to maximize legibility, contrast, while balancing an ideal quantity of information.

If modifying an existing publication map or from another media type, all elements shall be scaled to match the size of elements in the starter file.

Symbol Library Wayside maps share a common pictograph, recreation, and prohibition symbol library. Scale instructions for wayside exhibits are included in the file.

3D Oblique Maps The NPS has developed tips and techniques for generating digitally rendered 3D oblique panoramic base maps. All data sourced to create a 3D generated view shall be derived from geospatial data.

Thematic maps/illustrations maybe generated from a mix of geospatial data and geographic references overlays, or alterations.

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/gisandmapping/starter-maps.htm https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/appearance-attributes.html https://www.nps.gov/subjects/gisandmapping/map-symbols-patterns-for-nps-maps.htm https://www.shadedrelief.com/

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1. Typography

Map Projections Map projections are instructions for interpreting and displaying a round world (globe) onto a flat surface. Most geospatial map data (data that includes GPS location information) include a projection which can be converted in software to another projection to keep all data aligned while retaining location information. Maintaining geospatial data within the file allows for future geospatial data to be imported and automatically aligned.

All park maps (including those in Alaska and the Pacific Islands) created from geospatial data shall use the Web Mercator projection. Maps of the contiguous United States (U.S.) will use the Albers Equal-Area project with CONUS parameters. World maps will avoid using cylindrical projections (e.g., Mercator, Miller, and Geographic) in favor of projections with less severe areal distortion, such as Robinson or Winkel tripel. Final map deliverables shall contain metadata specifying the projection type, projection parameters, and datum. Maps produced in Adobe Illustrator with the Avenza MAPublisher GIS plugin automatically contain projection information. See Production Guidelines for additional software and file guidance.

Units of measurement In addition to Standard English measurements, include metric equivalents for labeled units of measurement. All conversions shall preserve the degree of precision of the original English measurement.

Maps for orientation by boat or aircraft shall include nautical miles in lieu of both statute miles and kilometers and clearly state measurements as nautical miles.

Each unit of measurement shall be written in the same typography, and without parentheses, italics, or other marks besides the unit to distinguish the different systems.

For example, a label that lists a trail as 0.25 mile shall not include a metric equivalent of 402.33 meters; this implies a degree of exactness that the original English did not have. The dynamic equivalent of 0.25 mile would be about 400 meters. Road and trail distances below one kilometer shall be stated in rounded off hundreds of meters. Distances greater than one kilometer shall be stated in rounded off tenths of kilometers.

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Definitions

Area map A secondary map showing a large area at a small size

Base map A map to which information from other source materials is added

Compilation A hand or computer drawn map including all content necessary to create the final map. Wayside map compilations are developed by the project planner and do not include type, line, or color specifications.

Detail map A secondary map showing a small area in a large space

Four-color Process A full-spectrum of color obtained from the the combination of magenta, cyan, yellow and black

GIS

Geographic Information System for storage, retrieval, and editing of geospatial data

Highlight color A bright bold color used to highlight a trail or route and identified in the map legend

Plat map An accurately surveyed map showing land ownership

Reference map A map which shows all features on the landscape, like a USGS topographic map

Orientation Maps Maps of a park or region that typically show administrative boundaries, roads, trails, rivers, and terrain represented with shaded relief or a digitally created perspective view.

2D Planimetric Maps Maps that have a straight down view of the area with a consistent scale from corner to corner.

1. Orientation

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3D Oblique Maps These maps are sometimes called panoramas, perspective, or birds-eye views. 3D oblique maps are digitally rendered aerial views depicting natural landscapes (with three-dimensional landscape features and terrain) and/or cultural landscapes (with three-dimensional buildings). Some birds-eye view maps serve as geologic diagrams and natural science illustrations.

Image maps Maps created from aerial photographs or satellite images and do not always include geospatial data.

Thematic maps Base maps of parks and larger geographic regions overlaid with interpretive information.

Trailhead maps Maps depicting hiking routes starting at specific location. Trailhead maps are typically orientated to match the viewers perspective and wayside direction.

Geospatial Data Mapping source data that includes location information related to the earth. When combined with a unified map projection, geospatial software can assemble and align this data to create a map that can interact with location aware tools and future geospatial data.

Tactile Maps:

Maps that are fabricated with tactile or three-dimensional layers including braille and other touchable elements. Created from a variety of solid materials, such as bronze or resin compounds, these models show a scaled representation of the landscape in layers or three-dimensional topography data. Textures, labels, and lines can be added to the surface of the map. Tactile maps are designed to be touchable for purposes of accessibility, often including braille, raised relief, and other tactile elements.