Wayfinding Ability Research Articles

Individuals learning to drive solo before age 18 have superior spatial navigation ability compared with those who learn later

ABSTRACT A challenge associated with driving vehicles can be navigating to destinations. While driving experience would seem beneficial for improving navigation skill, it remains unclear how driving experience relates to wayfinding ability. Using the mobile video game-based wayfinding task Sea Hero Quest, which is predictive of real-world navigation, we measured wayfinding ability in US-based participants (n = 694, mean age = 26.8 years). We also asked travel-related self-report questions, including those relating to driving experience. A multiple linear regression model found that those who started driving solo below aged 18 had significantly better wayfinding ability than those starting to drive solo aged 18 and above.

Shorter self-reported sleep duration is associated with worse virtual spatial navigation performance in men.

Sleep has been shown to impact navigation ability. However, it remains unclear how different sleep-related variables may be independently associated with spatial navigation performance, and as to whether gender may play a role in these associations. We used a mobile video game app, Sea Hero Quest (SHQ), to measure wayfinding ability in US-based participants. Wayfinding performance on SHQ has been shown to correlate with real-world wayfinding. Participants were asked to report their sleep duration, quality, daytime sleepiness and nap frequency and duration on a typical night (n = 766, 335 men, 431 women, mean age = 26.5years, range = 18-59years). A multiple linear regression was used to identify which self-reported sleep variables were independently associated with wayfinding performance. Shorter self-reported sleep durations were significantly associated with worse wayfinding performance in men only. Other self-reported sleep variables showed non-significant trends of association with wayfinding performance. When removing non-typical sleepers (< 6 or > 9h of sleep on a typical night), the significant association between sleep duration and spatial navigation performance in men was no longer present. These findings from U.S.-based participants suggest that a longer self-reported sleep duration may be an important contributor to successful navigation ability in men.

Local spatial navigation or "steering" in patients with vestibular loss in a virtual reality environment.

Patients with vestibular loss have reduced wayfinding ability, but the association between vestibular loss and impaired steering spatial navigation is unclear. To evaluate whether vestibular loss is associated with reduced steering navigation performance in a virtual reality (VR) environment containing obstacles. 17 ambulatory adults with vestibular loss were age/sex-matched to healthy controls. Participants traversed a VR hallway with obstacles, and their navigation performance was compared using metrics such as collisions, time, total distance travelled, and speed in single and multivariate analysis. In univariate analysis there was no significant difference in collisions between vestibular patients and controls (1.84 vs. 2.24, p = 0.974). However, vestibular patients took more time, longer routes, and had lower speeds to complete the task (56.9 vs. 43.9 seconds, p < 0.001; 23.1 vs. 22.0 meters, p = 0.0312; 0.417 vs. 0.544 m/s, p < 0.001). These results were confirmed in multivariate analysis. This study found that patients with vestibular loss displayed slower gait speeds and traveled longer distances, though did not make more collisions, during a VR steering navigation task. Beyond the known influence of vestibular function on gait speed, vestibular loss may also contribute to less efficient steering navigation through an obstacle-laden environment, through neural mechanisms that remain to be elucidated.

Still little evidence sex differences in spatial navigation are evolutionary adaptations.

A putative male advantage in wayfinding ability is the most widely documented sex difference in human cognition and has also been observed in other animals. The common interpretation, the sex-specific adaptation hypothesis, posits that this male advantage evolved as an adaptive response to sex differences in home range size. A previous study a decade ago tested this hypothesis by comparing sex differences in home range size and spatial ability among 11 species and found no relationship. However, the study was limited by the small sample size, the lack of species with a larger female home range and the lack of non-Western human data. The present study represents an update that addresses all of these limitations, including data from 10 more species and from human subsistence cultures. Consistent with the previous result, we found little evidence that sex differences in spatial navigation and home range size are related. We conclude that sex differences in spatial ability are more likely due to experiential factors and/or unselected biological side effects, rather than functional outcomes of natural selection.

The Assessment of Long-Term Care Environments for Wayfinding Design.

The purpose of this article is to compare three different methods to assess the complexity of a long-term care (LTC) environment for wayfinding before and after an environmental design intervention. The methods include space syntax (SS), the Wayfinding Checklist (WC), and the Tool to Assess Wayfinding Complexity (TAWC). Wayfinding is important to maintain older adults' independent functioning. The design of environments can impact wayfinding ability by providing support; this can be via building structure or by environmental design features such as signage and landmarks. Few methods or tools have been scientifically validated to assess environments for wayfinding complexity. In order to compare environments in terms of complexity and to measure the impact of interventions, valid and reliable tools are necessary. This article discusses the results of the use of three wayfinding design assessment tools using three routes in one LTC environment. The results of the three tools are discussed. SS analysis could quantitatively measure the complexity of routes using integration values, which indicates connectedness. The TAWC and the WC were able to measure differences in visual field scores pre- and postenvironmental intervention. There were limitations to each tool: the lack of psychometric properties for the TAWC and the WC, and the lack of ability to measure changes in design features within visual fields with SS. Multiple tools to assess environments for wayfinding design may be needed in studies that test environmental interventions. Future research is needed to provide psychometric testing for the tools.

How does spatial cognitive style affect indoor fire evacuation wayfinding in mobile virtual reality?

ABSTRACT In emergency situations such as fire evacuation, indoor wayfinding is a complex and challenging task that is closely related to spatial cognition and spatial ability. This study discusses the indoor wayfinding ability of evacuees from the perspective of spatial cognitive style. Spatial cognitive style can be divided into: landmark, route, survey (ordered from low to high). We measured the spatial cognitive style of participants, created a realistic virtual scene with a LiDAR scanner, and finally captured real behavior data using mobile virtual reality. The results show that people with a survey style can better extract information from an evacuation map and use it correctly, and they have a stronger sense of direction and cognition of the evacuation scene. People with a route or landmark style rely more on evacuation signs and following others to find their way and are more likely to lose their way in an emergency. These findings are helpful to explain the differences in wayfinding strategies and escape results of people in a fire evacuation.

WAYFINDING DESIGN IN LONG-TERM-CARE COMMUNITIES: EVALUATION OF COMPLEXITY

Abstract Wayfinding, the ability to find one’s way, is a significant problem for many older adults; especially those with cognitive impairment. Long term care communities (LTCC) are often fraught with challenges for wayfinding. Those who cannot find their way are at risk for decreased engagement and loss of independence. A critical need is to assess architectural and design features that promote effective wayfinding in an objective way. This study describes the results of a wayfinding design evaluation of 12 LTCC (4 Assisted living; 2 Independent Living; and 6 mixed residency). We measured space syntax axial integration (SSAI; a measure of the visual connectedness) and a Revised Wayfinding Checklist. The results showed low integration values in all communities, ranging from an R3 of 1.43-2.03, indicating low connectedness (and increased wayfinding complexity). The Checklist score totals ranged from 23 – 34 (M = 27.45) out of a possible total of 17 – 51. Results showed that the buildings were overall complex, all had long corridors (&amp;gt;100 feet), over half used multiple elevators to get to common areas; and over 60% had complex, multi-building layouts. Design wise, visibly accessible restrooms were not present; over half of the LTCC had insufficient lighting; and signage color/contrast and letter size was less than recommended. All sites had few directional signs at decision points. Thus, the review of these LTCC showed that most buildings were very complex, with low connectedness, and had room to improve design features like signage and lighting to support wayfinding ability for the residents.

Using visual scene memory accuracy as a predictor of spatial navigation performance

AbstractSpatial navigation is a fundamental cognitive function essential for daily life. Navigation skill assessment predominantly relies on self‐reports, with varying accounts regarding their validity. The current study aimed to determine whether performance on an objective visual scene memory recognition ability task could serve as a valid predictor of wayfinding navigation performance. A standardized sense of direction scale was used to compare the predictiveness of self‐report with the visual recognition test for objective navigation performance. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that better performance on the visual, but not the verbal memory task significantly predicted wayfinding ability. Visual memory performance was also a better predictor of navigation performance than participants' self‐reported sense of direction. This study therefore suggests that the assessment of visual scene memory is a promising and ecologically valid way to predict everyday practical navigation ability—in addition to or instead of via the use of self‐reports.

Effects of unsafe workplace practices on the fire safety performance of ready-made garments (RMG) buildings

A coupled CFD modelling for fire growth and evacuation modelling is conducted to evaluate the fire safety performance of a multistoried ready-made garments (RMG) building. The geometric and architectural features, occupant density, and other features of the factory are selected to represent those of a standard RMG building in Bangladesh. The smoke propagation and evacuation scenarios are selected to resemble some of the typical and often overlooked unsafe practices, such as open fire-doors, obstacle in the egress routes, and reduced exit numbers, observed in the RMG sector in Bangladesh. The effects of these practices are examined separately and in different combinations to obtain a comprehensive understanding of their effect on the occupant safety. It is observed that when there is no compartmentation in place near the stairway (resembling open fire doors), different areas of the building become untenable very quickly. If all the unsafe practices are considered at the same time (open fire door, obstructed egress route, and reduced number of exits), about 6% (334 out of a total of 5381) of the occupants fail to evacuate safely. This happens due to the reduction in visibility in smoke below the threshold that permits safe escape, considering the physiological and psychological effects of smoke on the way-finding ability and escape behavior of the occupants. The critical issue of the possible effects of these unsafe or non-standard practices in the garment factories on the safety of the workers has not been addressed in a systematic manner before. Therefore, the findings of this study can be useful in assessing the potential consequences of a fire-hazard due to the unsafe workplace practices even in the standard RMG buildings complying with relevant building codes.

The art gallery maze: a novel tool to assess human navigational abilities.

Humans differ widely in their ability to navigate effectively through the environment and in spatial memory skills. Navigation in the environment requires the analysis of many spatial cues, the construction of internal representations, and the use of various strategies. We present a novel tool to assess individual differences in human navigation, consisting of a virtual radial-arm maze presented as an art gallery to explore whether different sets of instructions (intentional or incidental) affect subjects' navigation performance. We furthermore tested the effect of the instructions on exploration strategies during both place learning and recall. We evaluated way-finding ability in 42 subjects, and individual differences in navigation were assessed through the analysis of navigational paths, which permitted the isolation and definition of a few strategies adopted by the incidental and intentional instructions groups. Our results showed that the intentional instruction group performed better than the other group: these subjects correctly paired each central statue and the two paintings in the adjacent arms, and they made less working and reference memory errors. Our analysis of path lengths showed that the intentional instruction group spent more time in the maze (thus being slower), specifically in the central hall, and covered more distance; the time spent in the main hall was, therefore, indicative of the quality of the following performance. Studying how environmental representations and the relative navigational strategies vary among "intentional" and "incidental" groups provides a new window into the acknowledgment of possible strategies to help subjects construct more efficient approaches in human navigation.

Self-Perceptions of Driving Ability in Older Adults With and Without Alzheimer’s Disease

A concern for families and persons with dementia is determining when driving cessation is necessary. Older adults often modify driving behaviors as they age due to self-perception of a decline in their abilities. However, it is not known how persons with Alzheimer’s disease modify driving behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine difference in how similarly aged persons with and without Alzheimer’s disease perceive their driving behaviors and modify them. Data were collected for 48 persons with early stage AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD; and 53 similarly aged older adults without cognitive diagnoses, using a survey on driving frequency, habits, and wayfinding ability. Chi-square analysis was used to determine any statistically significant differences in reported driving habits and difficulties between the study groups. Results from the analysis showed that the majority of the sample was still driving (n=81, 83%). Persons with AD/MCI (n=33, 73%) were less likely to be driving than the control group (n=48, 91%). Of those who were still driving, those with AD/MCI were more likely to limit driving frequency, avoid driving alone and in unfamiliar routes. Worries about getting lost were more frequently noted in those with AD/MCI. The AD group was more likely to make modifications to their driving such as limiting driving to daylight hours and not driving alone. These important results indicate persons with early stage AD/MCI may have self-awareness about driving impairments and make modifications to their driving habits that may increase their driving safety.

NON-INTRUSIVE, VISUAL-LESS WEARABLE HAPTIC STIMULI NAVIGATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR ELDERLY WITH DEMENTIA

Age is typically affiliated with the decline of cognitive function and the probability to be diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease, namely dementia. Of all dementia-related deficits, the paper highlights on the decline of wayfinding ability, since it is interrelated with mobility, autonomy, caregiving burden and eventually institutionalization. The sense of directions in elderly is also affected by the sensory changes, while the most obvious sensory declines are both vision and hearing. Hence navigation systems that support mainly on visual and auditory may not be the best option for them. A concept of wearable navigational assistance that is non-intrusive and uses haptic stimuli instead of visual and/or audio signals is presented in this paper. A Usability Test (UT) was performed towards the elderly with dementia at a selected nursing home to investigate how they perceive haptic-feedback as a modality of navigation. The assessments involved three phases: (1) orientation or training, (2) navigation test and (3) further navigation test. Results indicate the potential efficacy of haptic modality as a navigation signal. Improvement on subjects’ navigational performance was shown especially during the further navigation test, signifying the familiarization of the intervention. Employing the haptic modality could be a beneficial substitute for navigational purpose when vision and audio are less appropriate. Nevertheless, as much as the encouraging outcomes from the results and analysis of the assessments are valuable, the constructive reviews attained are indeed important for the future development of the device system.

Gender differences in children's wayfinding

ABSTRACT Gender differences in spatial ability are widely acknowledged, but research to date is equivocal on gender differences in wayfinding ability of children. Indeed, the precise nature of the relationship between gender and wayfinding needs further exploration, especially within real-world outdoor environments. There is a need for more research on this topic, not least to better understand the implications of gender differences in wayfinding for facilitation of our educational programs. This article focuses on this issue by seeking to explore children's map understanding and map use in relation to gender in a large-scale outdoor environment. Ninety-seven children, 3–13 years old, were presented with a pictorial map with 7 controls which they had to locate in any order. Measure of accuracy in wayfinding (number of correctly identified controls) indicate small gender differences. However, measure of efficiency in wayfinding (time spent on the task) indicate that boys outperform girls.

Gender differences in metacognitive judgments and performance on a goal-directed wayfinding task

ABSTRACTMany studies have shown a gender difference in wayfinding ability, including a related gender difference in global metacognitive self-assessment and spatial anxiety. However, few studies have examined whether there are gender differences in trial-by-trial self-assessment, or, what we term, local metacognition. We assessed trial-by-trial metacognitive performance in a sample of men and women engaging in a first-person goal-directed maze wayfinding task. Methods for assessing trial-by-trial metacognitive performance were adapted from Nelson and Narens’ (1990, Metamemory: A theoretical framework and new findings. The psychology of learning and motivation, 26, 125–141.) Metamemory framework. Results showed that men were more accurate at assessing their trial-by-trial performance than women when the assessment was made after performance. This suggests that women are more likely to err in assessing their past navigational performance, and thus may be less likely to undertake corrective control actions in the future.

Fear dynamics in public places: a case study of urban shopping centers

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationships among some important factors and perceived personal safety in public places, using Nigerian urban shopping centers as case studies. Following the evidence from previous studies, the present study hypothesizes that individual characteristics influence perceived personal safety in shopping centers, and users’ perceived safety is affected by the shopping centers’ environmental attributes.Design/methodology/approachTwo shopping centers were selected as cases for the study. Systematic sampling technique was used to select participants. Respondents were asked to answer closed-ended questions pertaining to environmental-design satisfaction, socio-economic and demographic characteristics and shopping center use. In total, 784 users participated in the survey. However, only 440 users properly completed the interview: 219 from Aleshinloye and 221 from Gbagi. Environmental design, socio-economic and demographic characteristics and shopping center use are independent variables, whereas perceived safety is a dependent variable. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and Man–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests.FindingsResults show that fear of crime is the most important factor, explaining 28.16 per cent of the total variance in perceived safety. Nevertheless, findings show that demographic factors have a significant impact on perceived safety as well. There is also a strong association between perceived safety and the use of shopping centers, as Aleshinloye, which is perceived safer, has been more frequently used than Gbagi. Furthermore, environmental design appears as a significant factor for perceived safety in shopping centers, as users of Aleshinloye’s facilities have a better perceived safety from crime, better way-finding ability and more environmental-design satisfaction than users of Gbagi.Practical implicationsThe study recommends the provisions of design or security precautions that prevent the fear of crime and improve way-finding capacity and environmental-design satisfaction in urban shopping facilities. Specifically, it is important to have environmental security precautions such as closed circuit televisions, good and functional lighting and private security staff, especially for women and the elderly, in urban commercial centers as these precautions could enhance their sense of personal safety.Originality/valuePrevious studies on shopping centers’ security have mainly concentrated on the relationship between fear of crime, perceived safety and associated factors. No studies to date have explored how way-finding ability affects perceived safety of users of shopping centers. This study contributes to the existing literature, revealing way-finding anxiety to be another important dimension of perceived safety in urban shopping centers.

Who gets lost and why: A representative cross-sectional survey on sociodemographic and vestibular determinants of wayfinding strategies.

When we think of our family and friends, we probably know someone who is good at finding their way and someone else that easily gets lost. We still know little about the biological and environmental factors that influence our navigational ability. Here, we investigated the frequency and sociodemographic determinants of wayfinding and their association with vestibular function in a representative cross-sectional sample (N = 783) of the adult German-speaking population. Wayfinding was assessed using the Wayfinding Strategy Scale, a self-report scale that produces two scores for each participant representing to what degree they rely on route-based or orientation (map-based) strategies. We were interested in the following research questions: (1) the frequency and determinants of wayfinding strategies in a population-based representative sample, (2) the relationship between vestibular function and strategy choice and (3) how sociodemographic factors influence general wayfinding ability as measured using a combined score from both strategy scores. Our linear regression models showed that being male, having a higher education, higher age and lower regional urbanization increased orientation strategy scores. Vertigo/dizziness reduced the scores of both the orientation and the route strategies. Using a novel approach, we grouped participants by their combined strategy scores in a multinomial regression model, to see whether individuals prefer one strategy over the other. The majority of individuals reported using either both or no strategy, instead of preferring one strategy over the other. Young age and reduced vestibular function were indicative of using no strategy. In summary, wayfinding ability depends on both biological and environmental factors; all sociodemographic factors except income. Over a third of the population, predominantly under the age of 35, does not successfully use either strategy. This represents a change in our wayfinding skills, which may result from the technological advances in navigational aids over the last few decades.

Hippocampus-dependent spatial learning is associated with higher global cognition among healthy older adults

Cognitive deficits in normal aging have been associated with atrophy of the hippocampus. As such, methods to detect early dysfunction of the hippocampus have become valuable, if not indispensable, to early intervention. The hippocampus is critical for spatial memory and is among the first structures to atrophy with aging. Despite the presence of navigation deficits in aging, few studies have looked at the association between wayfinding ability, navigation strategies, general cognitive function, and hippocampal volume. In the current study we investigated whether better general cognitive function is associated with the use of hippocampal-dependent spatial strategies, better spatial memory, and increased hippocampal volume. We also investigated, within older adults, the effects of aging on spatial memory. Healthy older adults (N = 107) were tested on a virtual wayfinding task and a dual-solution navigation task that can be solved using either a hippocampal-dependent spatial strategy or a caudate nucleus-dependent response strategy. Participants were also administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test that measures general cognition and is sensitive to dementia. A structural MRI was administered to a sub-set of participants (n = 49) and hippocampal volume was calculated using a Multiple Automatically Generated Templates (MAGeT) Brain algorithm. We found that age was negatively associated with wayfinding ability and hippocampal volume. On the wayfinding task, participants with higher MoCA scores found more target locations and travelled shorter distances. We also found a significant association between higher MoCA scores and spatial strategy use. MoCA scores, spatial memory ability, and spatial strategy use all positively correlated with a larger hippocampal volume. These results confirm that with age there is a decrease in spatial memory, which is consistent with decreased volume in the hippocampus with aging. Furthermore, better general cognitive function is associated with better wayfinding ability and increased use of hippocampal-dependent spatial strategies.

Analysis Of Perceived Safety In Urban Parks: A Field Study In Büyükpark And Hasanağa Park

Perceived safety is an important factor that may discourage many potential visitors from using and enjoying available public open spaces. Significant number of research have been conducted on different kinds of public open spaces including natural environments and parks with a particular focus on fear of crime related to perceived safety. However, no research has been met in current literature that handles, explains, and measures perceived safety in a broader sense in urban parks beyond fear of crime. The main aims of this study is to a) develop a scale to measure perceived safety in urban parks, b) find out the key factors that affect perceived safety and c) examine the impact of perceived safety on utilization of urban parks. During field study, urban parks constructed after Republican Period in Izmir were surveyed and two prominent urban parks with different environmental features were selected as case studies of the research (urban location, landscape and environmental design, maintenance and lighting). While Buyukpark, which has considerable environmental features, is located in Bornova district, Hasanaga Park that can be characterized by negative environmental features, is located in Buca region in Izmir. The study, which was conducted through on-site observations and face to face questionnaires with 442 people, concludes that perceived safety cannot be explained only with fear of crime. Wayfinding and environmental satisfaction also appear as significant parameters for perceived safety in urban parks. The study also indicates that design of urban parks should not only target prevention of fear of crime but also enhance wayfinding ability and environmental satisfaction of users through appropriate design techniques and strategies. In statistical analyses, perceived safety responses of users of the two park were compared. The comparison shows that users of Buyukpark (with positive design features) are more satisfied with safety situation in the park than users of Hasanaga Park. Another significant result of the research is that urban parks in central locations of cities are perceived as safer if they are relatively small, easy to control, well-maintained and include various activities. Socio demographic factors such as gender, age, marital status and education level are also found as significant factors that affect safety perception of park users. Additionally, increased safety perception results in more frequent visit to urban parks.

Servicescape navigation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to profile wayfinders into homogeneous sub-groups according to their wayfinding ability, and to investigate the differences between the clusters identified and their evaluations of satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses survey data collected in a hospital in the Northern part of Italy. The survey questionnaire assessed the participants’ self-estimation of wayfinding ability in terms of wayfinding competence, wayfinding strategy and wayfinding anxiety, as well as the wayfinder’s satisfaction.FindingsThe findings propose that three factors, namely, individual orientation skills, confidence in servicescape elements and anxiety control, contribute to defining wayfinding ability. Based on these factors, cluster analysis reveals three profiles of wayfinders, as follows: the Easy Goings, the Do-it-yourselves and the Insecures. Group differentiation comes from wayfinding ability and customer satisfaction levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study advance the segmentation literature by analyzing different types of wayfinding ability that can lead to different satisfaction levels.Practical implicationsThese findings will help service managers improve servicescape design and help them formulate effective targeting strategies.Originality/valueWhile previous research outlined the importance of some factors such as gender differences, familiarity with the service environment and cognitive approaches, this study recommends the examination of the profile of visitors to the service setting to allow them to find their way more effectively.

Development and Validation of the Way-Finding Ability Scale for Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Background and PurposeThis study was performed to newly develop the Way-Finding Ability Scale (WFAS) for middle-aged and older adults and validate its clinical utility.MethodsThe participants for verifying construct validity included 324 adults aged from 45 to 79 years, and 22 normal old adults without way-finding deficit (WFD), 41 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and 35 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI) for verifying discriminant validity. All participants were administered the newly constructed 28-item WFAS.ResultsExploratory factor analysis of the WFAS revealed a four-factor solution (sense of direction and inattention, spatial learning and memory, strategic ability, and cardinal direction). This four-factor structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The discriminant validity was examined by administering the WFAS to normal older adults and two patient groups (aMCI & PD-MCI). The results showed that the total scores of two patient groups were lower than that of normal older adults. The patients with WFD had significantly lower total scores than those without WFD. Interestingly, the total scores of patients without WFD were significantly lower than those of normal older adults suggesting that the cognitive functions associated with way-finding ability (WFA) were partially impaired in aMCI and PD-MCI patients without apparent WFD. The patients with WFD had consistently lower scores in every four-factor than those without WFD.ConclusionsThese results indicated that the WFAS assesses the WFD reliably as well as estimates the degree of decline in WFA.