Ebru Cubukcu,
(
Research has identified some physical attributes that affect spatial knowledge and wayfinding. This study used a virtual environmental (VE) simulation of eighteen residential environments to test effects of two key physical features--the complexity of the plan layout and physical differentiation--on spatial knowledge. 160 participants, assigned at random to the simulated environments with the constraints of getting 80 people in each plan layout condition (simple and complex), in each vertical differentiation conditions (with and without landmarks), and in each horizontal differentiation condition (with and without road hierarchy), 40 people in each landmark type (Object and Building), road hierarchy types (Width and Pavement hierarchy). This yielded 40 people in "Low Differentiation," 80 in "Moderate Differentiation" and 40 people in "High Differentiation." After a learning phase in the VE, participants received three tests: 1) estimating the direction from the start point to a destination, 2) navigating to the destination; and 3) sketching the route they took. These tests yielded a direction error score, navigation error score, a sketching error score and a composite spatial knowledge score. The analysis also considered personal characteristics. Higher spatial knowledge scores emerged for simple over complex environments, for moderate or high differentiation over no differentiation, and for vertical or horizontal differentiation over no such differentiation. The results suggest that designs with physical differentiation and fewer choices at nodes will help users learn their way around. Using controlled conditions like this one, future research can measure the effect of other physical environment characteristics on wayfinding behavior.
Comparison of
research based and Space Syntax evaluation for wayfinding
Saif Haq Ph.D. (
This paper attempts a comparison between two methods of environment analysis for wayfinding design: traditional research based method and computerized Space Syntax method. An evaluation using traditional research-based theories as typically done by design professionals was conducted in a Hospital setting. A subsequent analysis using Space Syntax was applied to the same setting by a researcher working only with drawings and no experience of the hospital. Based on previous Space Syntax research, some areas within the hospital were identified as areas for wayfinding intervention. Findings from these two analysis will be compared ‘live’ in the presentation. Process, evaluation outcomes, along with implications for research and professional practice will be discussed.
Rohan
Lulham, Faculty of Architecture,
Simultaneous presentation of environments and questionnaire may be useful in perception studies. This paper introduces a computerized system (ViRQuest) where research participants, seated in front of a computer, are able to respond to individual questions on the bottom half of the screen, while being able to view, with panning and zooming capabilities, an environment in 360 degrees which appears on the top half of the screen. Development of these systems, comparison to traditional data collection techniques, their limitations and prospects are discussed in the paper.
The use of PDA’s as
data collection instruments: promises and pitfalls
Computer-based research has merits: because the surveyors enter data on a computer directly from the field, researchers do not need to consider additional entry time and the errors that can be produced by data entry personnel. It can also provide strong controls for each response. However, even laptops can be bulky and heavy from the point of view of the onsite user and a limited battery-life requires additional battery packs. Personal digital assistants (PDA) can overcome some of these problems. They do have short battery lives and small memory, but additional (relatively low-cost) memory chips and advances in technology promises to mitigate these problems. This study inquires into the effectiveness of using PDAs in data collection. Broad ranges of environmental factors in neighborhood scale are considered. The study uses a Pocket PC as a research instrument and Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2003 as the programming language for questionnaires. The paper will report the results of a case study, lessons learned and future development recommendations.