An Evaluation of Color Selections to Accommodate Map Users with Color-Vision Impairments

Abstract

An experiment shows that maps can be designed to accommodate the approximately 4 percent of the population with red-green color-vision impairments. The experiment used seven pairs of maps with seven different color schemes to determine the effects of color selection on the map-reading ability of people with impaired or normal color vision. One rendition in each pair had colors that were potentially confusing to people with red-green impairments; the other had colors selected speciªcally to accommodate this group. On the set with potentially confusing colors, people with red-green impairments were less accurate and took longer to respond than those with normal color vision. They were just as accurate as those with normal color vision on the set with accommodating colors but continued to have longer reaction times. Logit analysis of accuracy conªrmed the interaction between vision group (normal, impaired) and rendition of the map (confusing, accommodating) and indicated that performance differed from one color scheme to another. An analysis of variance of reaction times on legend-matching questions yielded similar results for the same variables. A second part of the test asked participants to choose from each pair (confusing, accommodating) of the renditions the map that was easier or better to use. Those with red-green impairments overwhelmingly chose the accommodating renditions; those with normal color vision did not show a clear preference for one rendition over the other.

Analysis of Visual Interpretation of Satellite Data

“…False-coloured images thus behave like a map, a certain coloured model of reality, which allows good readability of certain elements which, despite having true colours, has little contrast appearing on the slide in natural colours (a greenish pond surrounded by meadows and fields was identified by only one fifth of the respondents, whereas the same pond in false blue was identified by almost 100% of respondents). The significance of colour as a basic interpretive sign was discussed in the work, including references to research such as Majidi et al (2014), Jenny and Kelso (2007), Brewer (1997), Olson and Brewer (1997). The contrast of colour to the surroundings and possibly good association support a successful and rapid interpretation of images.…”

Comparative Research of Visual Interpretation of Aerial Images and Topographic Maps for Unskilled Users: Searching for Objects Important for Decision-Making in Crisis Situations

“…It turned out that blue color is a distinctive and experienced interpretation sign for water on the map, so these tasks were dealt with by respondents overall more correctly on maps. The importance of color for object recognition is supported by a number of studies such as [21][22][23]32]. The color of rivers and ponds on aerial images is not blue-it displays the fact, i.e., there are rarely any blue water areas or rivers in the Czech Republic.…”

“…The most common is the inability to detect red and green while maintaining blue and yellow perception [21]. Further research on the relationship between color blindness and reading or processing maps has been published by Brewer [22], and Olson and Brewer [23].…”

More Than Meets the Eye: Volcanic Hazard Map Design and Visual Communication

“…Similarly, while red-yellow-green "stoplight" colour schemes are applied in a number of volcanic hazard maps around the world, Olson and Brewer (1997) and Jenny and Kelso (2007) warn that red-and-green colour schemes may introduce problems for colour vision deficient map readers. Up to 8% of males have some form of colour-vision deficiency, with difficulty distinguishing between red and green colours being the most common type (Delepero et al 2005).…”