Where Am I Now? Modelling Disorientation in Pan-Scalar Maps

Abstract

Disorientation is a common feeling for all users of zoomable multi-scale maps, even for those with good orientation and spatial skills. We make the assumption that this problem is mainly due to the desert fog effect, documented in human–computer interaction within multi-scale zoomable environments. Starting with a collection of reported experiences of disorientation, this paper explores this notion from the spatial cognition, philosophical and human–computer interaction perspectives and proposes a model of disorientation in the exploration of multi-scale maps. We argue that disorientation is a problem of reconciliation between the current map view and the mental map of the user, where landmarks visible on the map or memorised in the mental map play a key role. The causes for failed reconciliation are discussed and illustrated by our collected experiences of disorientation.

Where do people look at during multi-scale map tasks?

“…To conclude, this experiment shows that eye-tracking is an interesting method to study the behaviour of users of panscalar maps. The analysis of the gaze behaviour confirms the use of landmarks in locating tasks (Touya et al, 2023), and we identified different types of gaze behaviour during a zoom or a pan action.…”

“…In particular, we do not know why participants are looking at a specific location of the map, and the eye-tracker used is sometimes not precise enough to distinguish between several landmarks. In this study, we were only interested in pan-scalar maps, but it would be interesting to adopt a similar approach to study the gaze behaviour of users of vario-scale maps (van Oosterom et al, 2014).…”

“…What changes compared to our well-documented use of static maps? Researchers have to address these questions to design better pan-scalar maps, where disorientation occurs less often (Touya et al, 2023). In order to have a better understanding of the behaviour of pan-scalar map users, which explains why some feel disoriented during their use, this paper explores the visual behaviour of these users.…”

A methodological inquiry for anchoring pan-scalar maps

“…In this research, the focus is on the use of what is termed as pan-scalar maps, referring to interactive, zoomable, multi-scale maps such as Google Maps (Gruget et al, 2023). Users often experience disorientation or navigational trauma (Harrower and Sheesley, 2005) when using these maps, and the lack of consistent navigational cues or anchors across different scales is identified as a potential cause of this disorientation (Touya et al, 2023). The hypothesis is that within the virtual environment of pan-scalar maps, certain map objects can function similarly to anchors or landmarks in a real space, aiding in spatial orientation.…”

“…But what are pan-scalar anchors exactly? "A pan-scalar anchor is a cartographic symbol, group of symbols or spatial relation between symbols that is salient or recognisable in all the maps at several consecutive zoom levels" (Touya et al, 2023). For instance, in Figure 1, we can see text (Paris toponym), point symbols (the Eiffel Tower and the Arc of Triumph monuments), a group of lines (the Ring Road), or a group of polygons (the Seine River) as salient features, so they are good candidates for being used as anchors if their saliency is stable across at least several scales.…”