Comparative analysis of taxonomy, standardisation and availability of cartographic symbol sets for crisis mapping

Abstract

Cartographic symbols on crisis maps serve as the means of depicting information about the position, properties, and/or numerical values of objects, phenomena or actions specific to crisis mapping. The aim of symbology for many crisis cartographic visualisations are simple, clear, aesthetically pleasing symbols that can be easily used and understood by a wide range of crisis map users. If they are incomprehensible, illegible, ambiguous, unclassified, and random, if they lack hierarchical organisation and other characteristics which are important when designing a cartographic symbol set, they can fail to deliver the intended message. In addition to effective graphic design, cartographic symbol sets for crisis mapping are facing additional challenges, including consideration of their availability (sharing and promotion, dissemination and promulgation) and standardisation (ensuring the general and repeatable use of map symbols). To determine the extent of these challenges and to assess the current state of the cartographic symbology for crisis mapping we have compiled and compared the prominent examples of symbol sets that were promoted in the cartographic scientific and crisis mapping community in recent years. We pay particular attention to those sets that have gone through a new, reviewed or extended edition. We research whether the latest changes incorporated follow the recognised challenges posed to the crisis mapping symbology.