Abstract
Despite the growing efficiency of the map-design process in general, tactile mapping has remained peripheral to mainstream cartography. For a specific group of people with visual impairment, however, tactile maps are the only effective way to obtain a complex idea about the geospatial distribution of the surrounding world. As there are numerous specifics in creating these 3D maps and only a limited group of users, tactile products have usually been either very simple creations or, on the other hand, difficult and expensive to produce. Modern trends and progress in the availability of new technologies (e.g., 3D printing) bring new possibilities for keeping tactile map production both effective and up to date. Therefore, this paper aims to present a methodology to apply the TouchIt3D technology to link 3D-printed multi-material tactile maps with a mobile device. Utilizing this solution resulted in a set of interactive tactile maps following current trends of inclusive education. Using OpenStreetMap data together with a semi-automated workflow significantly lowered expenses compared to antecedent maps with similar functionality. A semi-automated workflow was designed, focusing on three use cases of independent movement: walking, using public transport, and tourism.
Highlights
A huge diversity of modern people’s needs and aims is reflected in the field of mapmaking
Cartographers create a huge range of maps targeted to masses of people, but there is a need to design maps narrowly focused on specific user groups
The TouchIt3D tactile maps, when laid flat on a capacitive touch display of a smart device, are connected via the display, and so the electric touch signal can go from the fingers of map users through the interactive map symbols made of conductive filament and interact with the display
Summary
A huge diversity of modern people’s needs and aims is reflected in the field of mapmaking. Cartographers create a huge range of maps targeted to masses of people, but there is a need to design maps narrowly focused on specific user groups. People with severe visual impairment representing an important group of users use tactile maps providing at least a simple scheme of how the world around is structured. Tactile maps play an important role in the educational process at schools [1]. The most important of the education of people with visual impairment is the proper perception of the spatial characteristics enabling them to learn independent movement [2]. It is not commercially attractive to design special maps for this target user group
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