Lab 7: Navigation Map Construction

Introduction

The purpose of this exercise was to create two navigation maps for future use.  Navigation itself requires two different things, namely tools for navigation and a location system.  Tools for navigation can range from the sun and stars to GPS devices and other technology.  Location systems rely on coordinate systems and projections, with the varieties depending on the data at hand and purpose of the project.

Study Area

The study area for this exercise is the Priory, an area of land owned by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire that is home to a student dormitory and children's nature preserve.  The Priory is located about 3.4 miles away from the UW-Eau Claire main campus (Figure 1, Figure 2). 

Figure 1: Map illustrating route from UW-Eau Claire to the Priory (Google Maps)

Figure 2: Map showing the Priory property (Google Maps)

Methods

Two maps were produced using ArcMap, each using a different coordinate system. Both maps also feature a properly labeled grid, 5 meter contour lines, and background imagery.  The first map uses the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Coordinate System and the second map uses the Geographic Coordinate System (GCS)  and decimal degrees.  Each coordinate system is discussed in greater detail below. 

UTM
The UTM Coordinate System divides the world into sixty different zones, each with a width of six degrees longitude.  The zones which lie within the continuous United States are outlined in Figure 3.  For the first map produced in this exercise, the coordinate system NAD 1983 UTM Zone 15N was used, since it corresponds with the location of the study area.  Furthermore, the projection used was Transverse Mercator.        

Figure 3: Map detailing UTM zones in the US (Wikipedia)

GCS
The GCS designates locations using latitude, longitude and decimal degrees (Figure 4).  For the second map produced in this exercise, GCS WGS 1984 was used.  There is not a projection associated with this map, since the geographic coordinates of the GCS are unprojected.  Due to the small study area, distortion is readily apparent in the map.  

Figure 4: Diagram showcasing GCS and decimal degrees (www.shsu.edu)

Results & Discussion

The following maps were produced using the aforementioned UTM and GCS coordinate systems (Figure 5, Figure 6).  While both maps have value, the map created using the UTM coordinate system is more practical for actual use in the field.  On the other hand, the GCS map is quite distorted, making it harder to discern contour lines and earth features.  Additionally, decimal degrees are not useful when one is navigating on foot in terms of calculating distances.  

Figure 5: Navigation map using UTM

Figure 6: Navigation map using GCS

Conclusion

This exercise provided a valuable introduction into creating navigation maps.  While technology is often used today for navigation purposes, smart phones and devices can and do fail.  It is never a bad idea to also have a physical map at hand for navigation.  One challenge for the creation of both maps was deciding how to make a map that was effective while not being too busy.  This issue was addressed by using a somewhat transparent background, contrasting colors, and widely spaced, clearly labeled contour lines.  The true efficacy of the maps will be tested in the field next week.