Prepper Navigation & My Traffic Light System!

Navigation - a skill that most take for granted and not practised enough, especially with our increasing reliance on GPS technology. As a prepper, bugging out will always be an option, no matter where I am. As a last resort I may have to move on foot to a safe location. This may well be under stressful conditions. It is for this reason I practise navigation, with and without aids. Continuation training however comes in the form of many techniques. One of them explained here.
Travelling from one location to another quickly and efficiently can be easy if you are on a well selected/planned route and under good conditions. However! In times of stress and under austere conditions, you may be operating under constraints, the weather or visibility may be limited and time can be of the essence, putting yourself under pressure. These factors may lead to mistakes and before you know it.....You are either LOST or time has passed for far to long.
Getting lost may not just be a huge navigational error, but may also involve a series of small errors over a long distance/time.
Errors may be caused by a multitude of factors, from Compass, map interpretation to pacing errors or just plain rushing.
There are many aids to navigation, including:
Map | Compass | Route Card | Pacing Beads | GPSAs an experienced Orienteersman and with a lot of 'Foot-Time', I always adopt a few techniques in order to aid my accuracy whilst moving as Quickly as Possible...
In order to move quickly, accurately and efficiently, I adopt a system of movement that enables a common thinking pattern that allows me to get into a routine.
My routine involves:
Looking at the terrain as a whole, both map and visual, then I build a mental picture of the 'lie of the land' and the route towards my Objective, Target or Goal.
I would break the route down into manageable Legs/segments based on terrain, rest stops and resources. These legs would be based around a bearing and KEY points that are visually identifyable from as far as possible.
This counters stopping too often for confirmatory navigational checks, which adds transit time.
Examples of Key Points are distinctive manmade or natural landmarks and can include:
BUILDINGS | WOODS | TREES | PYLONS | HILLS | LAKES
The list can be extensive, but so long as they are distinctive, that is the key, I will also use:
ROADS | TRACKS | RAILWAYS | WATERWAYS | POWER LINES to 'HANDRAIL' my route
After these have been established, I orientate then move... This is prime time to implement the GREEN-AMBER-RED traffic-light system.
GREEN – I have identified my distinct KEY POINT & BEARING and know which direction to set off – I move as fast as possible with minimal to no navigational checks involved, just quick glances at my compass or map.

AMBER – I have covered over 2/3rds of my navigational LEG and am approaching my destination – At this point I slow my pace, taking in all navigaitonal indicators in my surroundings. Compass checks become more frequent, my pulse-rate slows and thought clarity increases. At this stage OVERSHOOTING my target is in the forefront of my mind.

RED – I am within the last few hundred metres of my objective. I slow my pace down to a walk – Map checks are very frequent, ensuring maximum accuracy. As my pace has slowed, i am sufficiently relaxed, my breathing and brain are coherent and I know exactly where the end of this navigaitonal leg is. I then start to orientate myself again for the next leg and prepare to GO GREEN at the end of this leg!.....
Mental confusion may result when you are panting and your pulse is racing whilst navigating / visually translating map details into movement.

This technique takes practice and involves confidence. I only really employ this method during enclosed areas such as wooded terrain or visually limited scenarios. In open country, desert or areas rich in handrail routes, it is not so important to adhere to this system as your reliance on map/compass will diminish.
At ANY stage, I may change from one colour alert stage to another -eg- Green to RED and back to GREEN or AMBER in order to overcome difficult, unexpected terrain or unfamiliar areas that have not been identified previously...
I am sure that many people may already subconsciously adopt this method of navigation, this is one system I have used with confidence and will continue to use.
I have found through countless navigational exercises that the biggest errors are most likely to occur within the first stages of my route. Once moving, I adjust and orientation becomes easier.
I welcome constructive questions or comments.