User preferences on route instruction types for mobile indoor route guidance

Adaptive mobile wayfinding systems are being developed to ease wayfinding in the indoor environment. They present wayfinding information to the user, which is adapted to the context. Wayfinding information can be communicated by using different types of route instructions, such as text, photos, videos, symbols or a combination thereof. The need for a different type of route instruction may vary at decision points, for example because of its complexity. Furthermore, these needs may be different for different user characteristics (e.g., age, gender, level of education). To determine this need for information, an online survey has been executed where participants rated 10 different route instruction types at several decision points in a case study building. Results show that the types with additional text were preferred over those without text. The photo instructions, combined with text, generally received the highest ratings, especially from first-time visitors. 3D simulations were appreciated at complex decision points and by younger people. When text (with symbols) is considered as a route instruction type, it is best used for the start or end instruction

Sketch maps and verbal descriptions in structuring space

This paper reports the preliminary results of a study that aims at designing an intelligent navigation system providing automated scene descriptions and effective directions for a wayfinder. In general, there are two ways for humans to communicate about a route and its surroundings, which are verbal descriptions and graphic depictions (for instance sketch maps). Spatial preposition in language and spatial arrangement of depicted objects reflect how humans select and localise spatial objects relating to a route in navigation. This information is critical to the development of an effective cognitive model for an intelligent navigation system. An experiment including two different sizes of environments was carried out. Participants were asked to provide route instructions using both sketch maps and verbal directions. The comparisons of the two types of route instructions focus on spatial disposition and are based on the linguistic conceptual framework proposed by Talmy. The results demonstrate the basic distinctions of geometry and spatial relation in structuring a walking space

The Role of Presentation Type and Spatial Perspective on Wayfinding

Wayfinding refers to the process people use to find where to go and how to get there. For that, they need information on the presence and location of landmarks in their environment to be able to navigate through their surroundings. Furthermore, spatial awareness is also crucial in the process. The present study aimed to study how modality, spatial perspective, and language influence (a) wayfinding accuracy, (b) cardinal term, (c) relative term, and (d) landmark usage in directions. The map and text were presented to native and non-native English speakers. They provided directions under route and survey perspective. The results indicated the effects of different modality and spatial perspective and also underscored the differences between natives versus. non-natives: (1) Wayfinding accuracy and use of relative terms were better under map than under text, but use of cardinal terms was more predominant under text. (2) Comparing route and survey perspectives, more cardinal terms were used under the survey perspective than route perspective. However, under the route perspective within the map, wayfinding accuracy and use of relative terms was better than the survey perspective. (3) Also, under the route perspective, more cardinal terms were used with text than with map. (4) Finally, while under the non-native condition relative terms usage was better under map than under text, under the native condition more cardinal terms were used with text than with map

Use and perceptions of pedestrian navigation apps: findings from Bologna and Porto

Pedestrian Navigation Applications (PNAs) provide assistance in terms of self-localization, space recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation. The use, motivations and perceptions associated with these applications have been under investigated due to users being insufficiently involved in their design and development. This paper analyses the extent to which PNAs are used for assisting people to walk, the frequencies and reasons of using these applications, the perceptions about them, and the barriers preventing them from being used. The study is supported by a questionnaire (N = 1438) that was administered in Bologna (Italy) and Porto (Portugal). Results indicated that 42% of the respondents use PNAs mainly on an occasional basis to find locations and the shortest routes. Google Maps was the preferred navigation service. Statistical tests showed that PNAs were more likely to be used by younger adults and students. The lack of need was the main reason for not using these apps, due to the good spatial knowledge of the cities or the non-use of the pedestrian mode for regular trips. Respondents would like to have apps that are more accurate, usable, and adjusted to pedestrian navigation. The findings described in this paper could be helpful for future designs of PNAs, especially to match pedestrian needs more effectively and to enhance the role of these apps in promoting healthier and sustainable lifestyles.JPI Urban Europe, FCT—PT (ENSUF/0004/2016), MIUR-I, FFG—A and RPF—C

ESTRUTURAS NO TRANSBORDO CULTURAL: O WAYFINDING DESIGN COMO GUIA NA SINALIZAÇÃO DE MERCADOS PÚBLICOS

The complexities present in a public market make it necessary to build spatial thinking and signage that benefits its users. This article describes a wayfinding experiment carried out at São José Public Market, located in the São José neighborhood (Recife-PE). Through interviews and participants' route proposals, the objective was to investigate the signaling information assimilated as aids in the market space orientation. The most usual routes, nodal points and reference elements were analyzed, considering people unfamiliar with the place. At the end, a large number of reference points and types of track became evident, in addition to the latent need to develop an inclusive and efficient signage that respects the integrity of the São José Market.As complexidades presentes num mercado público tornam necessária a construção de um pensamento espacial e de sinalização que beneficie seus usuários. Sob esse viés, este artigo descreve um experimento de wayfinding realizado no Mercado Público de São José, localizado no bairro de São José (Recife-PE). Objetivou-se, através de entrevistas e propostas de trajeto dos participantes, investigar as informações de sinalização assimiladas como auxiliadoras na orientação espacial do mercado. Analisou-se os trajetos mais usuais, os pontos nodais e os elementos referenciais, tendo em vista pessoas não familiarizadas com o local. Ao fim do processo, ficou evidente o maior número de pontos de referência e tipos de pista do mercado, além da latente necessidade de elaboração de uma sinalização inclusiva, eficiente e que respeite a integridade do Mercado de São José

Video gaming, but not reliance on GPS, is associated with spatial navigation performance

Recent evidence suggests that greater reliance on GPS-assisted devices is associated with poorer navigation ability. Studies have also shown that video gaming may be associated with navigation ability. We investigated the effect of video game experience and reliance on GPS on navigation ability using the mobile app Sea Hero Quest, which has been shown to predict real-world wayfinding performance. We tested a group of US-based participants' wayfinding performance (n = 822, 367 men, 455 women, mean age = 26.3 years, range = 18–52 years) and asked them a series of questions relating to reliance on GPS and video game experience. A multiple linear regression model found no significant association between reliance on GPS and wayfinding performance. There was a significant association between weekly hours of video gaming and wayfinding performance. These findings provide a platform for future intervention-based research studies investigating whether daily activities may causally enhance or disrupt specific cognitive abilities

Supporting spatial orientation during route following through dynamic maps with off-screen landmark persistence

We describe an exploratory investigation of a dynamic digital map, inspired by videogame design. Participants followed a novel route through an urban environment, using a custom map that presented directional information for off-screen landmark locations. Spatial orientation (pointing to remembered landmarks) in this group was compared to participants using a static version of the same custom map (without the directional cues) and an additional control group that used a static mobile map from the public domain. Participants using the dynamic map were most accurate in making egocentric orientation judgments, although groups did not appear to differ in their configural spatial knowledge. These data suggest that landmark persistence may help users to build more accurate on-line representations of their spatial orientation