Older Users and In-Vehicle Navigation Map Design Elements

Abstract

This study investigated digital map reading performances of older and younger participants across map concepts. Participants answered questions related to their map reading while driving in a simulator. Mixed ANOVA analyses were completed on the dependent variables: response time, self-reported difficulty, and eye glance behavior. There was a significant difference in response time, with older participants requiring longer time to respond. Although no significant differences were found for eye glance duration towards the map, there were significant differences for the number of eye glances toward the maps with older participants glancing at the maps twice as often as younger participants. Younger participants had significantly longer glance durations towards the driving scene. It is suggested that the higher number of glances reflects the older participants' need to retain the information in working memory. This proves useful in better understanding the cognitive and visual processes of older drivers while reading digital maps.