Reduction of Map Information Regulates Visual Attention without Affecting Route Recognition Performance

Julian Keil,Lars Kuchinke,Dennis Edler,Frank Dickmann,Franz-Benjamin Mocnik

doi:10.3390/ijgi7120469

Abstract

Map-based navigation is a diverse task that stands in contradiction to the goal of completeness of web mapping services. As each navigation task is different, it also requires and can dispense with different map information to support effective and efficient wayfinding. Task-oriented reduction of the elements displayed in a map may therefore support navigation. In order to investigate effects of map reduction on route recognition and visual attention towards specific map elements, we created maps in which areas offside an inserted route were displayed as transparent. In a route memory experiment, where participants had to memorize routes and match them to routes displayed in following stimuli, these maps were compared to unmodified maps. Eye movement analyses revealed that in the reduced maps, areas offside the route were fixated less often. Route recognition performance was not affected by the map reduction. Our results indicate that task-oriented map reduction may direct visual attention towards relevant map elements at no cost for route recognition.

Highlights

In today’s world, human life is accompanied by high mobility
While Kuchinke et al [10] showed that topographic detail improved recognition performance of object locations in maps, Edler et al [11,12,13] found that improvements of memory performance based on the presentation of additional map elements become less noticeable at exceedingly high levels of map complexity
An ideal navigation aid would combine the strengths of digital maps and navigation systems—fast and efficient wayfinding, limited cognitive load, focus on relevant map elements, and a survey view of the environment that supports the formation of survey knowledge [9,17]

Summary

Introduction

In today’s world, human life is accompanied by high mobility. Traveling to unfamiliar regions has become simple and cheap, increasing the need for navigation in unfamiliar environments. Maps are usually task-independent and strive for completeness They allow users to obtain survey knowledge of their surroundings [9]. Navigation apps on the other hand are highly task-oriented and, as usual for location-based services (LBS), the displayed content depends on the context (current position). They support efficient wayfinding in unfamiliar environments, but they usually visualize only a narrow area around the position of the user. This can impair orientation and route memory, as distant global landmarks are not displayed [15]. An ideal navigation aid would combine the strengths of digital maps and navigation systems—fast and efficient wayfinding, limited cognitive load, focus on relevant map elements, and a survey view of the environment that supports the formation of survey knowledge [9,17]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion