An Example: Spatial Reasoning with Schematic Maps

Suppose two maps are given:

a part of the Hamburg city map showing the university campus and some adjoining streets together with two city train stations, Hallerstra§e and Dammtor, and the above-ground city train line going through Dammtor;
the corresponding part of the schematic Hamburg public transportation network map showing the same city train line and stations among others, especially containing additionally the city train station Schlump which is outside the area depicted in the first map.

The task is to locate the potential position of the city train station Schlump with respect to the city map.

Possible map evaluations are:

1) using axes from inside the maps: Schlump lies on the same side of the city train line depicted in the map;

2) using sectors from outside the maps, assuming coarse information about (geographic) cardinal directions in the schematic map: Schlump lies west or northwest of Dammtor;

3) combining 1) and 2);

4) interpreting the transportation network map literally, i.e. as a precise map: position of Schlump obtained by scaling and rotating the schematic map according to the city map.

1) using axes from inside the maps: Schlump lies on the same side of the city train line depicted in the map;
2) using sectors from outside the maps, assuming coarse information about (geographic) cardinal directions in the schematic map: Schlump lies west or northwest of Dammtor;
3) combining 1) and 2);
4) interpreting the transportation network map literally, i.e. as a precise map: position of Schlump obtained by scaling and rotating the schematic map according to the city map.