Evaluation of user variables in topographic feature recall for the informed selection of personalized landmarks

Abstract

Landmarks are a very important part of effective wayfinding instructions. Therefore much research is conducted analyzing the nature of landmarks and studying how they can be integrated appropriately into navigation services. The question whether the use of objects as landmarks differs between varying user groups becomes especially relevant if wayfinding instructions are to be adapted to context and users. In this paper the planning, execution and interpretation of a user-questionnaire regarding the mental representation of salient topographic features in the city centre of Hanover is presented. The user test focuses on recalling the important landmark features in the test area from memory and investigates if there are significant differences according to sex, age or familiarity with the environment.