Developing outdoor map design guidelines using a real-world wayfinding task

Abstract

<p>This exploratory study aims to elucidate the mental processes of wayfinding in an outdoor

area and the effects of map contour representations, map color, individual differences of users

(gender, brain dominance, experience level, and cultural differences), and environmental cues

using a field study in an established trail network in Jefferson National Forest. Six maps with

three different contour representations (contour lines, shaded relief, and schematic) and two

color codes (color and black-and-white) were tested for wayfinding performance. Thirty-six

participants of different nationalities (Locals versus Internationals), experience in map usage

(experienced versus novice), handedness, and gender took part in the study. Three out of ten

junctions on the test route had directional signs while the rest had no sign. The participants

performed wayfinding tasks in a national forest trail park, using the think aloud and

retrospective protocols to obtain the information processes used by the participants during

wayfinding. Subjective feedback was also obtained to find out usersâ map preferences and

opinions on their experience during the experiment. <p>Multiple regression analyses were used to predict the relationship of the predictor variables

to wayfinding performance. It was found that cultural differences and signage presence were

significant predictors of decision-making accuracy at trail junctions. The rest of the

predictors were not significant in predicting total time of completion, time for decision-making

at junction, accuracy of decision-making, and time deviated from route due to choosing a wrong

path at junction. Cultural differences were also significant in the prediction of the time

deviated from route. <p>It was also found that the participants were using maps to derived route information for

wayfinding. They utilized structural matching of the map with the terrain, by orientation

principle, to continuously check the current position on the map. There was some evidence of

participants gaining survey knowledge from the map during wayfinding but this could not be

confirmed by the study. A set of design guidelines were given for map and trail design to

improve the wayfinding performance of recreational users.