Abstract
We investigated what information of maps is available while walking in a complex actual city. We drew nine maps by manipulating landmarks, geographic and egocentric orientations, and distances. Each of ninety participants attempted to walk a complex route that was indicated in a map handed by the experimenter. The number of participants who found their way or the latency that was needed for them to find it was compared among the map conditions. Landmark was very effective: As the number of landmarks increased from 0 to 143, the proportion of the participants who found the way increased from 30 to 100%, with a decrease of latency. Egocentric orientation was also effective: Half the participants with the left-right reversal map failed to find the way, although there were ample landmarks indicated in the map. Either geographic orientation or distance was less effective: Most participants succeeded with the fragmental map that was constructed by cutting a standard map into small pieces and sequentially arranging them along the route. We compared these outcomes with the results of studies done in virtual reality space.
