Colour-layering and the performance of the topographic map user

Abstract

Experienced contour map users judged the validity of three-dimensional land-surface drawings against previously presented topographic contour maps. Map study and drawing judgement occurred serially and separately rather than concurrently, and each subject worked with either plain or identical but colour-layered contour maps. Performances of colour-layered map subjects proved superior, but this superiority was sited only in the map study and not in the match judgement component of the task. This was interpreted in terms of subjects having determined the extent of their map processing in relation to the demands of the landsurface judgement, rather than by applying independent limits or constraints to the map processing.

Keywords:

• Topographic maps
• Colour-layering
• Map using
• Mental imagery.