Re-visiting fundamental principles of mobile cartography

Proc. 21st ICC. Durban, South …, 2003

This paper describes the interface conception for a mobile, location-based map application, and the user-centred design approach used to validate design principles. We suggests design guidelines for interactive maps that were used for prototypes for a mobile fair guide. Abstract and simplified visualizations were combined with interactive linking to textual information, especially hidden labels for map objects that can be displayed in tooltips. Usability test results show this to be a promising strategy, if the hidden labels are combined with support of use cases that include search for known objects.

Proceedings of the ICA, 2019

We see more cartographic products in our digital world than ever before. But what role does cartography play in the modern production of cartographic products? In this position paper, we will argue that the democratization and diffusion of cartographic production has also led to the presumed "fading relevance" of cartography. As an argument against this notion, we highlight starting points for the field of cartography to improve modern cartographic production through its inherent cartographic knowledge.

Cartographic Journal, 2017

Technological advancement has led us to new ways of representing geospatial information, beyond traditional analogue forms. As a consequence, the design of maps and atlases is developing in new ways. The hypothesis of this study could be formulated as follows: the use of digital and interactive elements in a thematic atlas improves and enhances the usability of the cartographic products for the visualization of architectural heritage (in this case of Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela), due to which it provides new ways and possibilities for interaction. The study, therefore, focuses on usability to evaluate thematic atlases in the design process, and examine the differences that potential users present to digital-interactive atlases and static-printed atlases; the first embodied in desktop computers, the second printed on paper. The three measures of usability: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, were evaluated in the two atlases presented, by means of five tasks applied to 50 participants, each task with a purpose of special use within the scope of the atlas and architectural heritage. We also measured perceptions and emotions. Our findings suggest that printed and digital atlases complement each other because of their different kinds of uses and expectations. Usability metrics differ slightly; those related to success and time are higher in the digital atlas, whereas those related to satisfaction and perception are higher in the printed atlas.

2022

Navigation systems have become increasingly available and more complex over the past few decades as maps have changed from largely static visual and paper-based representations to interactive and multimodal computerized systems. In this introductory article to the Special Issue on Human-computer Interaction, Geographic Information, and Navigation, we review literature across a variety of fields to generate nine design principles to guide future research and development of navigation systems. Specifically, we suggest making mobile navigation systems more accessible and multimodal, which will make the systems more inclusive and usable for all types of users. We also introduce the research articles contributed to the present special issue and suggest future research directions to empirically evaluate emerging and untested features of user-adapted and context-aware mobile navigation systems.

Proceedings of the 20th International Cartographic …, 2001

The dawn of new technologies on the horizon, such as telecommunication, mobile internet, and handheld computing devices, offers new chances to the discipline of cartography. However, existing approaches to mobile cartography mostly have a commercial background and are rather technology centred. This quite narrow view ignores many relevant problems and does not fully profit from the new possibilities a mobile cartography could provide. Hence, we will sketch a general conceptual framework for cartography in a mobile environment. After the identification of specific user tasks and requests in a mobile environment suitable models of context and user's interests or preferences are highlighted. The process of adaptive and dynamic generation of visualisations for mobile users is illustrated and the key research fields involved are pointed out. An example demonstrates the benefits of dynamic visualisation of geoinformation on mobile devices. It should illustrate the basic ideas of mobile cartography and prove the flexibility of vector data (e.g. SVG) as an efficient and useful means of visualisation in a mobile context.

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 2021

Mobile map applications are increasingly used in various aspects of our lives, leading to an increase in different map use situations and, therefore, map use contexts. Several empirical usability studies have identified how map design is associated with and impacted by selected map use context attributes. This research seeks to expand on these studies and analyzes combinations of map use contexts to identify relevant contextual factors that influence mobile map design usability. In a study with 50 participants from Colombia, we assessed in an online survey the usability of 27 map design variations (consisting of three map-reading tasks, three base map styles, and three interactivity variants). We found that the overall map design is critical in supporting map-reading activities (e.g., identifying a location on a map was supported by a simplified base map, whereas selecting points on the map was supported by a more detailed base map). We then evaluated user patterns in the collected ...

The Cartographic Journal, 2008

An important aspect of a Dutch research project into usable (and well scaled) mobile maps for consumers is presented: the development of an appropriate field-based usability evaluation methodology for the prototype of a geo-mobile application that will be the result of a user centred design approach. Automatic generalisation, required for the user's orientation in space, but also for progressive data transfer, will be an important aspect of the prototype. What is reported here is an effective and technically unique user research methodology, based on a combination of video observation, thinking aloud and semi-structured interviewing. The experiments that have led to this outcome revealed some interesting usability issues that deserve further investigation.

International Journal of Cartography

The explosion of map use in the past few decades as part of everyday activities, accelerated through the digital production and dissemination of maps and the availability of low-cost, location-aware devices, has made the job of cartographers and map display designers more challenging. Yet, how do these recent changes affect effective map design? Can we accurately predict which designs will work for a given context? We investigate the concepts of design transferability and context and their potential to help us create map design outcomes that are effective for varying map use situations. We then present a model for operationalizing map use context to support evaluating map design transferability and pose several open research questions that need to be answered to support operationalizing map use context. This is followed by a research agenda that identifies research opportunities related to key research needs that will underpin transferable map design. RÉSUMÉ

Human-Computer Interaction-INTERACT 2005, 2005

People have difficulties interacting with external representations designed to guide navigating physical environments. We derive theory to inform design by probing users’ experience and use of their internal representations in a temporally evolving wayfinding activity in situ. Interactions with environmental landmarks are explored by analyzing spatial concepts in SMSs used by a group collaborating to wayfind to an unfamiliar rendezvous. Results show differences between landmarks provoking actions and contributing to abstract concepts; and, effects of direct or induced perspective in situ. Design recommendations account for orientation dependence and use of ambiguity in user-world-representation mappings. These include tactics to enable users’ to induce perspectives appropriately: with accuracy for recognising landmarks along routes and agility to situate landmark use in naturally evolving wayfinding goals.

In this paper, a set of heuristics for evaluating the usability of mobile map applications is introduced. We developed the heuristics by exploring the present generic heuristics and then forming new theory-based heuristics. Usability specialists tested the heuristics by evaluating the usability of a mobile map application with both generic and domain-specific heuristics. As a result, more usability problems were found with the proposed domain-specific heuristics. In addition, based on the evaluators' views the initial domain-specific heuristics were further developed. We conclude by proposing domain-specific usability heuristics for evaluating the mobile map applications.