Navigational Strategies in Transition from Initial Route

Abstract

Here, we present a study of navigation strategies in transition from initial route with the help of geographic information system technologies. Navigation behavior is usually based on an internal plan of the route, which is compared with external data of multiple types, including (I) the results of perception of the environment, especially visual information about external objects and surface textures; (II) points, lines, and regions of interest; and (III) sets of natural landmarks or artificial signposts which make it possible to determine the current location and estimate distances to the following waypoints. In this paper, we considered how navigation algorithms may be changed if deviations and transitions from the route are possible. Here, the features of spatial orientation in two cases are discussed. The first case is explored using tracks of homing pigeons as example. With large displacements from the primary positions, the trajectory of the pigeons varies in direction, but birds are still able to find familiar sites. The second case is considered using biking tours as example. Bicyclists can take a route with considerable deviations, similar to how pigeons do it in survey flights. In both cases, spatial data was analyzed using the geographical information system QGIS.