GEOINT New Zealand’s 1:50,000 Military Topographic Map Production – The Development of the 1: 50,000 MGCP Topographic Map (MTM), and its Cartographic Refinement Incorporating Symbology, Portrayal and Finishing William Mortimer GEOINT New Zealand, New Zealand Defence Force Auckland, New Zealand william.mortimer@nzdf.mil.nz Keywords: military, topographic, portrayal, symbology, NZDF, GNZ, MGCP, MTM, TLM, cartographic, production, design, 1:50,000 Introduction GEOINT New Zealand (GNZ) is part of the New Zealand Defence Force but has an ‘All of Government’ remit. This paper will focus on GNZ’s production, and development of the 1:50,000 scale MGCP Topographic Map (MTM) and the associated symbology & portrayal design elements. It will also contrast some of the symbology elements with selected examples sourced from historical and modern topographic contexts. Military examples will be used where possible (New Zealand Defence Force 2016; USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the Multinational Geospatial Co-Production 2016). The Multinational Geospatial Co-Production Program (MGCP) is a 29 member coalition of nations working in cooperation to produce standardised high quality vector data to 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 scale over the world from high resolution imagery. The basic area of capture for the project is a 1° x 1° cell (USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) 2014). GNZ represents New Zealand in the Programme and continues to produce cells of 1:50,000 scale data over the South West Pacific, New Zealand’s area of interest. The data is collected into an ESRI geodatabase and attributed according to specific schema and extraction guidance to meet the requirements of the MGCP Technical Reference Documentation (TRD). To meet project specification requirements the data is subsequently converted into shape file format for ease of transfer and multi-system functionality, and populated with metadata for validity, accuracy and source verification. Once the data has passed standardised QA and QC processes – which includes peer review by another nation, it is stored in a global spatial warehouse, accessible to all MGCP nations (Wildmann et al. 2011; Farkas 2009). The base vectors now can be used to create MTMs. MTMs have evolved from Topographic Line Maps (TLM) and MGCP Derived Graphic (MDG). MDGs and MTMs although similar technically, are visually different due to the variations in symbology and portrayal rules used to create them (Figures 1 and 2). The development of the portrayal rules and new symbology are discussed in detail, with examples sourced both from GNZ’s production, and other MGCP nations.

Figure 1. Prototype TM50 Anderson Island, V79114782 Edition 11.

Figure 2. TLM Anderson Island, V79114782 Edition 10. What is a MTM? The MTM is a 1:50,000 or 1:100,000 scale map characterised by a high level of planimetric detail and quantitative representation of relief using elevation contour lines. The various features shown on the map are represented by standard symbols which are explained in the legend, along with other marginalia about the map and its content. MTM content includes symbolisation of transportation and cultural features, vertical obstructions,

hydrography (drainage), hypsography (relief), vegetation, boundaries, geographic placenames, and a Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) grid. Examples of marginalia information include: a map legend to illustrate and define symbols used on the map, a glossary of geographic terms (including foreign language terms or abbreviations), adjoining sheet diagram, boundaries diagram, elevation guide diagram, bar scales, notes on geographic reference system, datum, elevation contour interval, and sheet identification. Specific custom notes relating to powerlines, roads and rail, vegetation and urban area classification are often shown. All units of measurement (elevations, heights etc) are in metres. At 1:50,000 scale map sheets normally cover 15 minutes in North-South and East-West dimensions (USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the Multinational Geospatial Co-Production 2016). MTM Use and Applications MTMs are the primary military operational hardcopy maps and are used: by land and air/rotary forces in support of ground operations; for the planning and execution of tactical or humanitarian relief operations; land navigation; to provide basic terrain analysis information to assist in Intelligence Preparation for theatre operations. (USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the Multinational Geospatial Co-Production 2016). GEOINT New Zealand MTM Production Environment MTM production processes within GNZ are evolving rapidly. CIRCA 2013 - the production was based around TRD3 Symbology, and the use of ESRI Arc-info 9.3x and ESRI Defense Solution - Production Line Tool Set (PLTS), running on Windows XP. Production of MDGs during this time was low volume, high quality. The effects of this extremely high quality level caused several map sheets to undergo multiple corrections and revisions. Software and hardware limitations also caused random errors which impacted on the entire process. CIRCA 2014 – the production was based around TRD4 data, and the use of ESRI Arc-info 10.x and ESRI Defense Mapping / Production Mapping. The symbology however, was changing due to the development of MTM and the United States internal version called TM. The focus within GNZ was development and planning – and a large investment in upskilling the Geospatial Analysts and QC staff to understand the new software applications and where possible create solutions to maintain the high quality levels and allow automation for large volume contingencies. A dedicated ‘development’ plan was instigated to allow customised design options. CIRCA 2015/2016 – production is based on TRD4+ data, the use of ESRI 10.3x and ESRI Defense Mapping / Production Mapping running on Windows 7. Symbology is the finalised version of the standard MTM symbology, with some customised changes. Production and development is focused around large volume contingencies, documentation and internal standardisation, QC aspects and increased automation (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. MTM50 Lifuka Island Special, X773G72343 Edition 1. Symbology and Portrayal Development Symbology design & use is a fundamental aspect of Cartography. Used correctly it allows the map to communicate effectively and efficiently. Its secondary effect is also artistic, allowing creativity design via symbols, patterns, type and colour. In the modern military topographic map – artistic design is not a primary requirement, however effective

communication is. Understanding both the ‘components’ and ‘controls’ of graphic design is important when designing new symbols or modifying the labels associated with a feature for example. The primary goal in this design process is to ensure ‘clarity and legibility’ (Robinson et al. 1984) (Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7).

Figure 4. Symbology changes. MGCP Rome 2015 - Presentation by NGA.

Figure 5. Symbology changes. MGCP Rome 2015 - Presentation by NGA.

Figure 6. Legend from TLM Anderson Island.

Figure 7. Legend from Prototype TM50 Anderson Island.

Annotation and Finishing Refinements – Submission Example COMMENT / IMPROVEMENT: Diplomatic buildings often have long names associated with them e.g.: New Zealand High Commission. These buildings are important and will be shown within Built up areas, however the annotation placement for these features could be difficult if the area is complex. GNZ suggest the use of 3 letter trigraph codes (as per ISO 3166 or STANAG 1059) to be used when placement of the full name will still be difficult or ambiguous and this rule would be controlled via a Finishing Label Rule. Now the New Zealand High Commission is shown as NZL (see below).

Sheet Design Planning Concepts Using different design techniques to suit the area of interest is time consuming; however the results are highly effective. Coastal and island areas are common in the South Pacific. These islands areas often don’t fit neatly within the standard 15’ x 15’ sheet line extents that define 1:50,000 map sheet boundaries. When this occurs either a ‘border – break’ (or bump-out/extrusion) is used or the sheet extents can be adjusted to fit the island. Smaller islands can be shown on insets (Figures 8, 9 and 10).

Figure 8. Sheet design – adjustment.

Figure 9 and 10. Sheet design – border-breaks; sheet design – inset.

Other Applications GNZ has developed multi-scalable basemaps using MGCP data based on ESRI’s National Security Basemaps. Scale range is 1:300,000 to 1:1,000. Historical Symbology (US vs Russian) Anderson Island region in Washington and the region around Auckland provide some different perspective on symbology (Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14). References Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) (1995). Military Specification for 1:50,000 Scale

Topographic Maps, USA Department of Defense, s.l.:s.n. Defense Mapping Agency Topographic Center (1972). Data sourced from New Zealand

1968, 1:1,000,000 Scale, Sheet SJ-60, North Island, Series 1301, Edition 1-DMATC, USA Department of Defense, s.l.: s.n.

Farkas I. (2009). Multinational Geospatial Co-production Programme – Production worldwide and in Hungary, Imre Farkas, Budapest: Geoscience / AARMS.

GEOINT New Zealand (GNZ), New Zealand Defence Force (2016). 1:50,000 Scale MTM50 Lifuka Island Special, X773G72343 Edition 1, s.l.: s.n.

New Zealand Defence Force (2016). NZDF - GEOINT New Zealand, available at: http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/about-us/geoint/default.htm (accessed 22 June 2016).

Robinson A. H., Sale R. D., Morrison J. L. and Muehrche P. C. (1984). Elements of Cartography, 5th ed., s.l.:John Wiley & Sons.

Russian Army, USSR (circa 1950). 1:1,000,000 Scale Cascade Range, NL-10, s.l.: s.n. Russian Army, USSR (circa 1950). 1:1,000,000 Scale North Island, SJ-60., s.l.: s.n. United States Government (1945). 1:1,000,000 Scale Cascade Range, NL-10 Edition 1,

printed 1951, s.l.: s.n. USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (2009). 1:50,000 Scale TLM Anderson

Island, V79114782 Edition 10, s.l.:s.n. USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (2014). Dellagnello_Marzio_MGCP-

Brief_JACIE-shorter_Approved-for-Public-Release-12-2014, s.l., s.n. USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (2015a). 1:50,000 Scale Prototype

TM50 Anderson Island, V79114782 Edition 11, s.l.:s.n. USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) (2015b). MGCP Rome 2015, Notes

from Presentation by John Bik (NGA), s.l.: s.n. USA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) for the Multinational Geospatial Co-

Production (2016). 1:50,000 and 1:100,000 Scale MGCP Topographic Maps (MTM). s.l.:s.n.

Wildmann R. et al. (2011). Available at: http://esri.com/news/arcnews/spring11articles/multinational-mapmaking-in-the-czech-republic.html (accessed 20 June 2016).

Figure 10. Section of 1:1,000,000 Scale Cascade Range, NL-10 Edition 1.

Figure 11. Section of 1:1,000,000 Scale Cascade Range – (Russian Version).

Figure 12. Section of 1:1,000,000 Scale, Sheet SJ-60, North Island, Edition 1-DMATC.

Figure 13. Section of 1:1,000,000 Scale, Sheet SJ-60 – (Russian Version).