Navigational Checking: Implications for Electronic Map Design

Abstract

In three experiments, subjects performed a navigational checking task in which the view presented on an electronic map was compared with the view of a simulated world to determine the congruence. Map viewpoints were varied in elevation and azimuth angle disparity relative to the world view to simulate the effects of map rotation and 3D map angle on navigational checking. On most trials the area depicted was the same, whereas on a small percentage, features of the map were altered, requiring the subject to judge “mismatch”. In Experiment 1, using simple images, response time increased non-linearly with elevation angle distortion. In Experiment 3, using more complex images, similar effects were found and were augmented by effects of azimuth angle distortion. In Experiment 3, using dynamic realistic real world scenes, elevation angle and map scale effects were examined and revealed a complex pattern. The results are interpreted in terms of guidelines for 3D electronic map construction.