Skip to main content
Book cover

True-3D in Cartography pp 153–168Cite as

Hypsometry in Tactile Maps

Part of the Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography book series (LNGC)

Abstract

People either perceive geospace directly through their senses or their perception is mediated via geo-information. Those who are blind or visually impaired have to fight difficulties in perceiving geospace. It is one of the tasks of cartography to provide these people with suitable devices to perceive and study geospace. Modern tactile maps enable perception of geospace in a highly illustrative way. The hypsometric map of Europe created at the Palacký University in Olomouc as part of a development programme can serve as an example. These maps are unique three-dimensional tactile maps that enable people with visual impairment make use of residual vision and blind people use Braille. Three-dimensional imaging represents a revolutionary approach to tangible geospace representation. The resulting product is a three-dimensional model with discrete hypsometric layers, with Braille writings and with contrasting colours that distinguish it for people with visual impairment. The hypsometric map of Europe is unique thanks to its processing technique. Its illustrative character provides more information to people with visual impairment than what had been possible to date.

Keywords

  • elevation
  • tactile maps
  • 3D printing
  • Braille
  • perception
  • blind persons

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-12272-9_10
  • Chapter length: 16 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-642-12272-9
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Amick N, Corcoran J (et al.) (1997) Guidelines for design of tactile graphics [online]. New York, American Printing House for the Blind [http://www.aph.org/edresearch/guides.htm]

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentzen B (1973) Sites, Perception and the Non-visual Experience. In Kidwell, Clarke CR (1993: Introduction to Thermoforming 3: Vacuum Forming. Ammanford, Dyfed, C.R.Clarke & Co. Ltd. [http://www.crclarke.co.uk/]

  • Edman PK (1992) Tactile Graphics. New York: American Foundation for the Blind.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finková F, Růžičková V (2009) Improvement in Spatial Sensation for persons with visual impairment through the medium of tactile / Braille maps. In Specjalne potrzeby edukacyjne. Tom 1. Bielsko – Biala: WSA

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson JJ (1968) The Senses Considered as Perceptual Systems. London, George Allen and Unwin Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan JD, Bolanowski SJ (1996) The psychophysics of tactile perception and its peripheral physiological basis. San Diego, Academic Press: 25–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirn H (2005) Tactile maps for preschool children: the curriculum. Proceedings of XXII International Cartographic Conference A Coruña 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Jehoel S, Dinar S, McCallum D, Rowell J, Ungar S (2005) A scientific approach to tactile map design: minimum elevation of tactile map symbols. Proceedings of XXII International Cartographic Conference A Coruña 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Jesenský J (1988) Hmatové vnímání pomocí tyflografiky. SPN, Praha.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozáková M, Voženílek V (2008) Současné technologie tvorby hmatových map. In Feranec J, Fencík R (ed) Aktivity v kartografii. Zborník referátov zo seminára, Kartografická spoločnost' SR, Geografický ústav SAV Vydavatelství SAV, Bratislava

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozáková M, Voženílek V (2009) Thematic information in tactile maps. Kartografické listy, 2009 (17):

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraak MJ, Ormeling FJ (1996) Cartography: Visualization of spatial data. Addison Addison Wesley Longman, Harlow, Essex

    Google Scholar 

  • LaMotte RH, Whitehouse J (1986) Tactile detection of a dot on a smooth surface: peripheral neural events. Journal of Neurophysiology, 56 (4): 1109–1128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederman SJ (1974) Tactile roughness of grooved surfaces: the touching process and effects of macro- and micro-surface structure. Perception and Psychophysics, 16 (2): 385–395

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lobben AK (2005) Identifying the needs of tactile map makers. Proceedings of XXII International Cartographic Conference A Coruña 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Nolan CY, Morris JE (1971) Improvement of Tactual Symbols for Blind Children. Final Report, Washington, DC, Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins C, Gardiner A (1997) “What I really, really want”: how visually impaired people can improve tactile map design in ICC 97. Proceedings of 18th ICA/ACI International Cartographic Conference: Stockholm, Sweden, 23–27 June 1997: 1159–1166

    Google Scholar 

  • Pravda J (2006) Metódy mapového vyjadrovania, Klasifikácia a ukážky. VEDA, vydavat'elstvo Slovenskej akadémie vied, Bratislava

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowell J, Ungar S (2005) Feeling our way: Tactile map user requirements – a survey. Proceedings of XXII International Cartographic Conference A Coruña 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Růžičková V, Stejskalová K, Ludíková L, Finková D, Voženílek V, Kozáková M, Št'ávová Z (2009) Orientation and mobility of persons with visual impairment in the Czech Republic within the context of an evolving Europe. In Conference report. ICEVI 2009, Dublin

    Google Scholar 

  • Theissen N (2000) Computer-aided Tactual Graphics (Getting Started…). Enfield, Royal Blind Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungar S, Jehoel S, McCallum D, Rowell J (2005) „Tactualization“ of spatial information: towards a perceptual-cognitive approach to tactile map design. Proceedings of XXII International Cartographic Conference A Coruña 2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Veverka B (2004) Topografická a tematická kartografie 10. Vydavatelství ČVUT, Praha

    Google Scholar 

  • Voženílek V (2001) Aplikovaná kartografie I - tematické mapy. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Olomouc

    Google Scholar 

  • Voženílek V (2005) Cartography for GIS – geovisualization and map communication. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Olomouc

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiedel JW, Groves PA (1969) Tactual Mapping: Design, Reproduction, Reading and Interpretation. Washington, DC, Department of Health, Education and Welfare

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic

    Vit Voženílek, Veronika Růžičková, Dita Finková, Libuše Ludíková, Zuzana Nĕmcová, Jan Doležal, Alena Vondráková, Magdaléna Kozáková & Vojtĕch Regec

Authors
  1. Vit Voženílek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Veronika Růžičková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dita Finková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Libuše Ludíková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zuzana Nĕmcová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jan Doležal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Alena Vondráková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Magdaléna Kozáková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Vojtĕch Regec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. TU Dresden, Mommsenstr. 23, Dresden, 01062, Germany

    Manfred Buchroithner

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Voženílek, V. et al. (2011). Hypsometry in Tactile Maps. In: Buchroithner, M. (eds) True-3D in Cartography. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-12272-9_10

Download citation