Orientation Information in Different Forms of Route Instructions

Schwering A, Li R, Anacta V J

Abstract

Providing quality and easy-to-follow route instructions has been an ongoing research interest. This exploratory work attemptsto determine types of information in route instructions that support orientation and cognitive mapping during wayfinding. Thisstudy examined a set of 20 verbal route instructions and 18 sketch maps collected from participants. Verbal instructions are firstcompared with machine generated instructions. Verbal route instructions are then examined based on the adaption ofmethodology used in generating skeletal descriptions and our addition of categories that emphasize orientation using landmarks.We also consider global landmarks included in both verbal instructions and sketch maps that are off route but supportive fororientation. Results show that human verbal instructions include landmarks and use them intensively for direction andorientation. Results also show that human instructions include both local and global landmarks while sketch maps use moreglobal landmarks for orientation. Landmark types are further analyzed, which shows that in addition to the instructions ofturning direction at decision points, participants use landmarks along the route to maintain orientation or direct non-turningmovement.

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