User Preferences on Route Instruction Types for Mobile Indoor Route Guidance

Laure De Cock,Kristien Ooms,Nina Vanhaeren,Nico Van De Weghe,Philippe De Maeyer

doi:10.3390/ijgi8110482

Laure De Cock, Kristien Ooms + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi8110482

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

Wayfinding in an indoor environment can be challenging
This study has shown that they are best used at start- and endpoints of indoor routes and are best avoided to change levels at stairs
While navigating indoors with these systems, people are guided from decision point to decision point by turn-by-turn instructions

Summary

Introduction

To assist people in their wayfinding decisions, location based systems (LBS) are being developed, which can provide wayfinding information on a mobile screen based on the user’s location [1]. This wayfinding information can be conveyed to the user in two ways: an overview map or turn-by-turn instructions. To avoid the generation of confusing route instructions, the amount and type of wayfinding information that is needed at every decision point has to be determined This need for information depends on the context, which can be defined as every factor that influences the interaction between user and application. By adapting the given route information to the context, the route instructions will adhere better to the wayfinder’s mental representation of the route and will demand less attention of the user [10,11]

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