Morrison – DESIGNING OCTOPUS BUS MAPS FOR DISTRICTS WITHIN A CITY WITH THE AID OF SCALE DISTORTON 1996

Description

Authored by Alastair Morrison from the University of Glasgow and published in *Cartographica* in Winter 1996, this 24-page academic paper introduces an innovative, computer-aided methodology for designing ‘Octopus’ (or ‘Octobus’) bus maps. Addressing the challenge of representing complex urban bus networks effectively for local travelers, the document details how scale distortion, rather than simple fragmentation, can enlarge central zones while compressing peripheral areas. The robust approach, stemming from a 1986-88 research contract with Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, outlines mathematical formulae and demonstrates their impact through numerous illustrative figures, including theoretical grids and real-world bus routes from Clydebank and Hamburg. This well-structured, peer-reviewed work provides a foundational and trustworthy resource for cartographers, urban planners, and public transport authorities seeking to enhance the clarity and utility of district-specific bus information.