Situated navigation support for heterogeneous large crowds via augmented signage

PhD ThesisNavigating unfamiliar places is a common problem people face, and there is a wealth of commercial and research-based applications particularly for mobile devices that provide support in these settings. While many of these solutions work well on an individual level, they are less well suited for very crowded situations, e.g. sports matches, festivals and fairs, or religious events such as pilgrimages. In a large crowd, attending to a mobile device can be hazardous, the underlying technology might not scale well, and some people might be excluded due to not having access to a mobile device. Public signage does not suffer from these issues, and consequently, people frequently rely on signage in crowded settings. However, a key disadvantage of public signage is that it does not provide personalised navigation support. We have therefore investigated augmented signage as a navigation support system for use in large crowds. This thesis investigates the issues of guidance by augmented displays and how this can be made more suitable for people who navigate in groups in unfamiliar areas. In this context we have undertaken three studies as examples to explore how augmented displays can provide aid to people in crowded places. In the first study, we investigated the question of whether the use of dynamic public signage can help pilgrims count or remember the Tawaf rounds while walking around the Ka’bah. We analysed the current situation in Mecca based on a literature review and a series of interviews with pilgrims, who had completed at least one pilgrimage (already visited Mecca). We then presented a prototypical dynamic signage and reported on a user study we conducted in a realistic setting in order to evaluate the system. The results suggest that dynamic signage may be a feasible option to improve the safety of pilgrims in Mecca. In the second study, we introduced a scalable signage-based approach and present results from a comparison study contrasting two designs for augmented signage with a base approach. The results provide evidence that such a system could be easily useable, may reduce task load, and could improve navigation performance. In the final study, we developed public displays (static and dynamic signage) and investigated the ability of using such displays to assist pilgrims of Mecca to find each other after becoming separated while performing rituals inside the Haram (e.g. Tawaf pillar). Once again here we have addressed the issue through a series of interviews with people who had experienced pilgrimage before. Then we constructed a full idea that allowed us to design the initial system and presented it in a focus group session to gain feedback and redesign the system. Afterwards, we conducted a lab-based user study. The results we obtained suggest that a person can extract information (by reading the dynamic signage), also results showed that users were able to remember their information (whilst completing some distraction tasks), and then they completed the static signs tasks successfully. Generally results showed that the system can indicate people to the right place where they can meet again after becoming separated. In general, these results provided good evidence that augmented signage supported by colour and visual codes might provide considerable help in situations with large and heterogeneous crowds. It might be developed and used in different settings for provisional navigation information and allow multi-users to extract their personalised information individually

An Empirical Research on Pilgrims Wayfinding Satisfaction Study: A Consideration for Improving Wayfinding Experience in Al Masjid Al Haram

Millions of Muslims visit Makkah Al-Mukarramah every year for Hajj and Umrah. It is a mandatory part of both Hajj and Umrah rituals to visit Al Masjid Al Haram for various activities. Huge crowds and lack of prominent wayfinding signs make Hajis spend more time inside Haram trying to find their way that too in a tense and panicky state of mind. This paper aims at assessing the gravity of wayfinding associated challenges faced by Hajis by applying the well-known Customer Satisfaction Model and proposing possible solutions to minimize potential adverse effects. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data from the proposed sample size of 2000 from various nationalities and regions. A total of 618 responses were received. The structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used for path analysis using AMOS 21 analytical tool and results revealed a reasonable fit between data collected and the model used: chi2 (485.95), chi2 / DF (3.77), RMSEA (0.07), CFI (0.92), and all values of Cronbach's alpha are greater than 0.78. The results substantiated that Hajis face problems in wayfinding inside Haram, which leads to Hajis finding it challenging to navigate in the Haram area. When the respondents were presented with alternative solutions to improve their wayfinding inside Haram, the results showed a statistically significant improvement in the satisfaction level

ALHAJJ – HAJJ APP FOR IOS

This paper introduces the AlHajj app for iOS which is an interactive guide to Hajj, like an interactive map allowing users to walk through the process of the Hajj to develop a better understanding of the obligations, locations, dates and Hajj activities with the sequence they are performed in.  It covers both pre and post Hajj activities. AlHajj has a very simplistic and clean User Interface (UI).  The app is also written for maintainability and it is free. KEYWORDS:  Hajj; iOS; Software Tools; Interactive Map; Mobile App; Isla

Hajj crowd management via a mobile augmented reality application: a case of The Hajj event, Saudi Arabia

Hajj event is considered as one of the Islamic pillars that each Muslim, who could afford its’ expenses and are well bodied, should perform its’ rituals at least once in a lifetime. Therefore, they could travel to Mecca city, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj rituals. This holy city hosts this event annually in the last month of the Arabic calendar, which is Dhul Hijjah, and it lasts for 6 days. In addition, those Muslim visitors or pilgrims are obligated to be accommodated at Hajj ritual places, which are Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah. However, in the last ten years, it was noticed that the Hajj events are crowded every year. Therefore, Hajj crowd management is being a complex task, due to the huge number of the pilgrims as they are crowded at the Hajj ritual places. This huge number is causing many problems, and Hajj authorities are facing difficulties in managing those crowded pilgrims. As a result, this research focuses on three main problems that occur at Hajj events. First, difficulties in organizing the crowds’ movements of the pilgrims, as Hajj events host enormous number of pilgrims in limited geographical spaces at the ritual places. This problem leads to overcrowdings, congestions and stampedes. Second, the pilgrims could get lost at Hajj ritual places, especially when they are moving between these places. Third, lack of directional information and guidance for those lost pilgrims. This problem leads to difficulties in finding their groups at the ritual sites, because the huge number of the pilgrims. Thus, this research proposes to deploy a technology, such as a Mobile Augmented Reality application. This application would assist the Hajj authorities (staff and operators) in managing the pilgrims’ movements between the ritual places, and to provide directions to the lost pilgrims. In addition, it would help those lost pilgrims by alerting, and sending their location information to their group guide. On the other hand, the research literature review covers previous studies about the Hajj crowd management, as it is divided into two perspectives. The theoretical perspective, which explains the crowd management steps that should be followed and applied, as these steps would help the Hajj authorities to succeed in crowd management at Hajj events. The practical perspective presents some studies that are related to the Hajj events. Those studies offered some solutions to manage crowded pilgrims, to avoid overcrowdings and stampedes, and to identify, locate and guide lost pilgrims. The solutions were Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) deceives and monitoring cameras. In addition, this research conducted and distributed questionnaires on 104 respondents. They were selected as they are related to Hajj events. The results of this research method confirmed that the Hajj events face problems. For example, overcrowdings, congestions and stampedes that occur at the ritual places, due to lack of pilgrims organization in limited spaces at these places. In addition, foreign pilgrims face difficulties in guidance, due to lack of directional information, and they could get lost from their groups at the Hajj events. In addition, the respondents suggested using technology to assist Hajj authorities in Hajj crowd management. Therefore, deploying MAR application is suggested, as a solution to solve or at least reduce the Hajj problems. The proposed application could help the Hajj authorities to manage the crowded pilgrims at the Hajj ritual places as this research illustrates two scenarios in Hajj crowd management. In conclusion, this application is beneficial and significant in crowd management at Hajj events, as it could provide instant information using high-speed process in sending and receiving information. In addition, the information about the pilgrims’ movements could be gathered, presented on smart devices and shared between applications’ users. Those users will be the Hajj staff on the ground and the Hajj operators in the control room of Hajj operations

Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya

The Himalaya are world-renowned for their exquisite mountain scenery, ancient traditions, and diverse ethnic groups that tenaciously inhabit this harsh yet sublime landscape. Home to the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest, and some of its deepest gorges, the region is a trove of biological and cultural diversity. Providing a panoramic overview of contemporary land and life in the Earth’s highest mountains, the Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya is the first full-color, comprehensive atlas of the geography, economics, politics, and culture of this spectacular area. Drawing from the authors’ twenty-five years of scholarship and field experience in the region, the volume contains a stunning and unique collection of maps utilizing state-of-the-art cartography, exquisite photography, and engagingly-written text to give accurate coverage of the Himalaya. The volume covers the entire 2,700-kilometer length of the mountain range, from the Indus Valley in northern Pakistan and India, across Nepal and Bhutan, to the hidden realms of northeast India. The Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya not only offers detailed explanations of geological formations, climate, vegetation, and natural resources but also explores the human dimension of the region’s culture and economy. The authors devote special attention to discovery and travel, including exploration, mountaineering, and trekking. Packed with over 300 easy-to-read, custom designed full color maps and photographs and detailed text and map indexes, the Illustrated Atlas of the Himalaya is a superb collector’s volume and an essential reference to this vast and complex mountain region. “This is a magnificent full-color comprehensive atlas of the contemporary life and land of the Earth’s highest mountains.” -- Abstracts of Public Administration, Development, and Environment An outstanding introduction to the geography and people of these mountains. -- Himalayan Watch Winner of the 2006 National Outdoor Book Award. [These are] [. . .] beautiful, stunning, and often thought-provoking black and white photographs of the sacred places of the Himalayan regions [. . .] -- Asian Affairshttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_asian_studies/1004/thumbnail.jp

Mecca in Morocco:Articulations of the Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj) in Moroccan everyday life

This PhD thesis concerns the ways in which the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj, is embedded in Moroccan society. Approaching pilgrimage from the perspective of lived religion, the overarching question is: How does Hajj feature in the everyday lives of Moroccans and how are Moroccan views on Hajj are negotiated in pilgrims’ micro-practices? The red thread that runs through this thesis is the argument that although the Hajj is performed in a place far away from Morocco, taking Moroccans out of their daily life worlds, the practices, experiences and the meanings that they attach to Hajj are shaped by, and in turn go on to shape, their life and world upon return. In the various parts in the thesis I demonstrate from different perspectives how the everyday Moroccan context shapes pilgrims’ perceptions of their experience in Mecca and, in return, how after having completed Hajj they position themselves and are positioned as members of their community. Particularly important are the myriad ways in which the experience of being a ḥājj/ ḥājja shapes their everyday life, social relations and micro-practices. I discuss how memories of the Hajj experience and the visits to Mecca and Medina permeate everyday life for returning pilgrims, influencing their actions, values and attitudes, as well as their sense of Moroccan identity, serving as a major reference point for their personal and social identifications

A Player’s Sense of Place: Computer Games as Anatopistic Medium

This project works to understand how open-world computer games help generate a sense of place from the player. Since their development over a half century ago, computer games have primarily been discussed in terms of space. Yet the way we think about space today is much different than how those scientists calculated space as a construction of time, mass, and location. But as computer games have evolved, the language has failed to accommodate the more nuanced qualities of game spaces. This project aims at articulating the nuances of place through phenomenological methods to objectively analyze the player experience as performed through various behaviors. Using a conceptual model that partially illustrates sense of place, I demonstrate how players create out of place—or anatopistic—places through play. After a historical survey of play as it is manifested through interaction with miniaturized environments, I turn to computer games as they have helped embody their creators’ sense of place. The third and fourth chapters offer a pair of case studies that reflect upon the experiences of the individual player and player groups. First, I compare virtual photography with tourism to reveal an array of sensibilities suggestive of the pursuit of place. This is followed with a look at Niantic’s Pokémon Go and how player groups use the game to act out ritualistic forms of play. Positioning the player as a “ludopilgrim,” I demonstrate how players perform individual or intersubjectively meaningful places as a form of transgressive placemaking

JGI Volume 13, Number 1 - Full Issue

This is the full issue of Volume 13, Number 1 (132 pages). Contains: Introduction to the Special Issue by Dan Paracka Vasco da Gama\u27s Voyages to India: Messianism, Mercantilism and Sacred Exploits by S. M. Ghazanfar The World Parliament of Religions, the Swami, and the Evangelist: Contextualizing Late 19th-Century American Responses to Hinduism by Anne R. Richards Connections and Disconnections: The Making of Bombay/Mumbai as India\u27s Global City by Ravi Ghadge India\u27s Unbalanced Urban Growth: An Appraisal of Trends and Policies by Purva Sharma Housing for All in India and Its Future Sustainable Development by Nadia Shah Is India Becoming more Liberal? Globalization, Economic Liberalization and Social Values by Tinaz Pavr

Biography of a City: Art, Urbanization, and Shifting Structures of Power in Carrion de los Condes, 1050-1200

One of the central narratives in the study of Spanish Romanesque art is that of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the medieval pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James. While the Camino has been conceptualized primarily as a conduit of people and ideas, the monuments of the pilgrimage city of Carri�n de los Condes demonstrate an intra-referentiality that challenges this unilateral construct. Pilgrimage must be understood as a binary phenomenon, comprised of not only the moving, transitory parties, but also the infrastructure that at once supports and is supported by them. This dissertation examines the three extant medieval monuments built during Carri�n’s period of greatest growth and prominence, ca. 1050-1200: the monastery of San Zoilo and the parish churches of Santa Mar�a and Santiago. Each addresses distinct audiences corresponding to its particular moment in Carri�n’s development and position within the city. Reframing the pilgrimage city as a crucial site of social and economic interaction, this dissertation situates the three monuments in relation to one another within a single, evolving urban fabric, one that had to negotiate and address multiple audiences—transient and enduring—through its artistic production