Investigation and development of mobile touristic applications

Abstract

With mobile devices a challenging media for cartographic information presentation became available. On the example of transferring static hiking maps into a mobile framework, research questions are identified on cartographic communication in general and cartographic design in particular. A high level communication model is proposed to identify and illustrate tasks and roles of cartographer and (prod-)user around the creation and usage of location based applications. The conception of a mobile application for hiking in Saxon Switzerland is based on an analysis of touristic mobile apps. The comparison presented within this paper provides an overview of existing functional requirements and interaction possibilities. The mobile hiking application is implemented prototypically containing user generated spatial content from Hike & Bike Map. The developed app serves as a platform for integrating further user generated content, such as specific thematic and regional contents (e.g. climbing paths). Future research and development will investigate possibilities on the adaptive personalized information presentation enhancing the current adaptable version.