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To better serve people who are color blind, communicate using "text and characters" the numerical range that corresponds to the slope angle shading color at the center of the map

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Moses

09 Jan, 2021 07:47 PM

Feature Request: To better serve people who are color blind, on CalTopo maps (desktop and apps), communicate using "text and characters" the numerical range that corresponds to the slope angle shading color at the center of the map. 
ex. 27-29, 30-31, 32-34, 35-45, 46-50, 51-59, 60+

Communicating slope angle estimate ranges using "text and characters" in addition to colors will be especially useful for people who are color blind, for people who for whatever reason have trouble discerning the colors of the slope angle shading (failing vision?), and for people using the map in conditions where discerning/interpreting the slope shading color is difficult. (ex. strong sunlight, sweat running down foreheads into their eyes, etc.), and would simply provide the exact same numerical range that the slope angle shading color at the center of the map is intended to provide and already providing.

This information could be provided in the upper right portion of the map in the "infobox" where lat-long and elevation is provided.

Thanks, great products!

1. 1 Posted by Moses on 10 Jan, 2021 01:15 PM

   

   As an FYI, here's an example where people had trouble discerning the color of the slope shading on a CalTopop map.
   https://help.caltopo.com/discussions/general/8660-what-slope-angle-numerical-range-does-the-blueish-color-represent

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2. Support Staff 2 Posted by matt on 13 Jan, 2021 06:58 PM

   

   Putting actual numbers on the map isn't workable due to technical reasons.

   I've gone back and forth on adding slope and aspect numbers to the coordinate window at the top right, especially as NAD27 has fallen out of favor with the disuse of older paper maps, so showing the datum is not as critical. It's certainly something on the list to consider, but particularly on a phone where screen real estate is limited, it's also something we need to approach carefully.

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3. 3 Posted by Tom Cal on 13 Jan, 2021 10:00 PM

   

   Maybe provide users a way to select what information (lat long, aspect,
   elevation, steepness, datum, etc ) is displayed in the infobox on the map?

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4. 4 Posted by Kelsey Cardwell on 07 Feb, 2021 06:51 PM

   

   What about a feature that allows people to select or switch up the color key to suit their specific vision needs? i.e. a couple different color blind safe options for the various types of colorblindness. Was just planning routes with my brother last night who is red/green color blind. It's nearly impossible for him to get anything out of the slope angle maps, which was making it hard for us to make decisions together. About 5-10% of the US is colorblind, so I know this isn't an uncommon challenge. This not only impacts those who are colorblind, but also those who are trying to plan with their buds who are colorblind.

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5. Support Staff 5 Posted by matt on 08 Feb, 2021 10:14 PM

   

   Kelsey - you can specify your own color scheme using a custom DEM layer; see https://training.caltopo.com/all_users/base-layers/custom2#dem.

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6. 6 Posted by Moses on 13 Feb, 2021 10:49 PM

   

   Matt,
   Re "Putting actual numbers on the map isn't workable due to technical reasons.

   I've gone back and forth on adding slope and aspect numbers to the coordinate window at the top right, especially as NAD27 has fallen out of favor with the disuse of older paper maps, so showing the datum is not as critical. It's certainly something on the list to consider, but particularly on a phone where screen real estate is limited, it's also something we need to approach carefully."

   I think it would be useful to omit the datum info, and instead provide the slope angle estimate number for the center point on the screen, and an indicator such as "hr" near the slope angle estimate, so people know if this slope angle estimate is "high resolution"

   So the box in the upper right might look something like:

   40.4437, -121.5296
   8662' 32-34° hr

   Thanks for considering this suggestion!
   Great products!

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7. Support Staff 7 Posted by Julie on 15 Feb, 2021 07:35 PM

   

   Kelsey,

   As a temporary solution, persons such as your brother can create their own slope angle shading using a custom DEM layer, and saving it as an overlay in their account. Instructions are available here: https://training.caltopo.com/all_users/base-layers/custom2#dem

   Thanks,
   Julie

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8. Julie closed this discussion on 15 Feb, 2021 07:35 PM.