Representational Issues in Interactive Wayfinding Systems ...

Representational Issues in InteractiveWayfinding Systems :Navigating the Auckland University CampusBy Alan Kwok Lun Cheung

Aim• To explore the effectiveness and pros andcons of different representational optionsin providing navigational instructions• To identify appropriate approaches todesign and implement an interactivesystem for wayfindingujhjnvczsdweqmbza...

Methodology continued• Users were divided intothree groups of ten. Eachgroup utilizes onedesignated system.• Users were required totravel four routes byobtaining instructions fromtheir designated system.• Instructions were reducedinto its topological form ifpossible

Methodology further continued..Changeto Bearing 155!Thenwalkfor 2KM untilyou see theValley!Map-based SystemVerbal SystemImage-based System

Measure of Performance• To identify wayfinding times, a series ofcriteria was produced• Based on where users’ sights are, basedon where the user held the mobile device,based on their body movement, based onverbal comments??• Short stops between waypoints were nottaken into account

Findings from Map system• Maps– Delivers most comprehensive spatialconfigurations– Good for judging distances– Users’ familiarity with maps• Problems :– Difficulty in positioning oneself– Lack of third dimension– Excessive information

Findings from Image system• Annotated images– Delivers spatial configuration in a realisticformat– Retains the flow of the route from waypoint towaypoint• Problems :– Affected by temporal change, weather, etc.– Affected by field and depth of view– Affected by the symbology of the annotations

Findings from Verbal system• Despite prejudice, verbal system returned bestwayfinding performance– Dimensionless– Visual matching not required– Abstract• Problems :– Language problem– Visual matching not exist– Difficulty in communicating spatial configurations

Other Findings• People who are unfamiliar with campusenvironment perform similar, and sometimesbetter than people who are familiar with thecampus environment.• Slight changes in spatial configuration do notaffect wayfinding performance• Pedestrian flow has some influence onwayfinding efficiency (not walking efficiency)• Females tend to notice more landmark changethan males.

Issues• Limitation of Mobile Devices• Temporal effect on navigation abilityPlease feel free to ask questions!• Combining all methods into one packageE-mail : ache051@ec.auckland.ac.nzConclusion• No best system for all situations• Non-visual instructions can be effective