An algorithm for the selection of route dependent orientation information

Löwen Heinrich, Schwering Angela

Abstract

Landmarks are important features of spatial cognition. Landmarks are naturally included in human route descriptions and in the past algorithms were developed to select the most salient landmarks at decision points and automatically incorporate them in route instructions. Moreover, it was shown that human route descriptions contain a significant amount of orientation information and that these orientation information support the acquisition of survey knowledge. Thus, there is a need to extend the landmarks selection in order to automatically select orientation information. In this work we present an algorithm for the computational selection of route dependent orientation information, which extends previous algorithms and includes a salience evaluation of orientation information for any location along the route. We implemented the algorithm and demonstrate the functionality on the basis of OpenStreetMap data.