The concept of relevance in mobile maps

Abstract

Mobile map based services and location-based services (LBS) are going places. Yet, they face acceptance problems for such reasons as lacking user focus and relevance. This paper looks at the concept of relevance and its potential for and application to mobile cartography. First, theoretical concepts of relevance from other disciplines are studied followed by an analysis of different approaches for the assessment of relevance. A basic model for the determination of geographic relevance is postulated and the application modes of relevance to mobile cartography are elaborated. Two applications of relevance to mobile cartography are discussed with an emphasis on visualisation techniques for the presentation of relevance in maps. Some final remarks conclude the comments on relevance in mobile maps.