anbul 2004 
[ systems. 
oplications, 
2002. The 
rastructure 
artography 
M.. Rhyne, 
ıtion with 
mputation. 
28(1), pp. 
Advanced 
nted at the 
August, in 
-supported 
xperiment. 
91(1), pp. 
Systems, 
Decision 
velopment 
ire. 
velopment 
velopment 
ne, from 
ion - GIS 
ble from: 
, Natural 
(GDBL): 
amability 
cographic 
American 
DESIGN OF WEB MAPS FOR NAVIGATION PURPOSE 
Zhilin LI, Lilian PUN-CHENG and Geffrey SHEA 
Dept. of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 
Tel: (+852) 2766 5960, Fax: (4852) 2330 2994, e-mail: Iszlli@polyu.edu.hk 
Commission II, WG II/ 
KEYWORDS: Web maps, navigation, may functions, graphic variables, spatial query 
ABSTRACT: 
This paper discusses the design of web-map for navigation purpose. First of all, it provides an overview of the development of maps 
(from paper to web) and then some thought on the design of web maps for navigation purpose. It has been found that the functions of 
maps have changed from "display and storage" to "display and exploration" and "storage and linking". The variables for visual 
presentations have been expanded from traditional set of visual variables to fives set of variables, i.e. visual variables, screen 
variables, dynamic variable, exploratory acts and web variables. The functions of map symbols are also enriched to include 
"indexing" and "pointing". All these variables could be explored for web map design. 
Because of its confined display environment, web map has to be carefully designed so that the graphics to be displayed will not be 
too dense. It is also discussed that the colour coding which has been in use for years for topographic maps may need to be modified 
for screen display. For example, different colour may be assigned to the road and building names according to the position of the 
location, and blinking symbols used to indicate direction restrictions. In addition, when incorporating with spatial analysis 
functionality, a selection of client-side or server-side Internet mapping systems has to be made to balance performance and 
functionality. 
For the purpose of navigation, maps can be used for positioning (i.e. displaying current location on a digital map), navigation (i.e. 
displaying the current position and destination) and route guidance (i.e. displaying position, destination and route to destination). 
How the maps on web should be design for navigation purpose is a topic of this paper. 
(CAC) can produce customised products without restriction. 
Therefore, the distinction between map designers and users 
diminishes (Su and Li, 1995). 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Maps are not new at all to geo-information community. Indeed, 
maps hav en regar as one of the three ancient 3 : i : 
P € bee garded my © of : After moving from paper map (hardcopy) to the web, the 
SOME CANON means, the other (wo being longuags and muse: functions of maps have also changed. In analogue form, the 
The issues on map design have been discussed in cartographic map serves for two purposes, ie. data display (visual 
textbooks and one would wonder yt SN d RI ere. The communication) and data storage, (although some may also 
answer is that the euvironment considered n this project c want to add another two: i.e. spatial index and data analysis 
he web) and purpose of this study (i.c. navigation) afe quite tool). However, in digital form, these two functions, i.e. data 
Specific although a book on web map. design, has pen storage and data display, have been separated. One could store 
published recently (Kraak and Brown, 2001). There, there is a the data in a database and display the map in a screen or plotted 
Beo af somespectal Giasiderations en hs design or such maps out in analogue form. At the stage of cartographic visualisation, 
In other words, the traditional theories need to be modified visual analysis is emphasised, which is compared to numeric 
and/or ex e acc C ew deve ont. ; rs : 
expanded to accommodate the new development analysis. Other terms such as visual thinking and visual 
exploration are also in use (Jiang, 1986; Kraak, 1998; Kraak 
and MacEachren, 1999). In web-based visualisation, data 
Traditi 5s . Alt} storage is extended to include a new function, i.e. hyperlink to 
raditionally, maps were made on paper. On the making Pn Rx : s e. i d 
: ; ; other sources. Such changes are summarised in Table ! and a 
process, cartographers design the maps and users make use of : e : : : 
- ORE : E CU ye diagrammatic representation of such changes is shown in 
the maps. However, in digital environment, this situation has des : : ann” 
bee : = 3 - ; Figure 1 (Li, 2002; Li and Kraak, 2002). 
been changed dramatically. Users of geographical information = 
systems (GIS) and/or computer assisted cartographic systems 
2. CHANGE IN MAP FUNCTIONS 
Table 1 The role of maps in different environments (Li, 2002; Li and Kraak, 2002) 
  
Stage of Development Major Roles of Maps 
Paper Maps Visual communication & data storage 
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Digital maps Visual communication Data storage 
Cartographic Visualisation Communication Exploration Data storage : 
Web-based Visualisation Communication Exploration Data storage Data linking 
  
  
UJ 
uA 
UJ