Influence of Geometry and Objects on Local Route Choices during Wayfinding

摘要

Navigational choices in novel environments are constrained by the wayfinders' expectations on the paths' development beyond the current line of sight. Such expectations may be informed by hallway structures as well as by objects indicating where a hallway may lead to. We study these effects by systematically varying both of these factors in a virtual reality indoor scenario. Results show that earlier findings in both areas gained predominantly in street networks also hold for buildings, and furthermore reveal for the first time how the two factors interact. In particular, attractive objects can cancel the attractive effects of long lines of sight as well as multiple path choices.