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Measuring user preferences and behaviour in a topographic immersive virtual environment (TopoIVE) of 2D and 3D urban topographic data

Authors :
Łukasz Halik
Alexander J. Kent
Source :
International Journal of Digital Earth, Vol 14, Iss 12, Pp 1835-1867 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Taylor & Francis Group, 2021.

Abstract

This paper investigates user preferences and behaviour associated with 2D and 3D modes of urban representation within a novel Topographic Immersive Virtual Environment (TopoIVE) created from official 1:10,000 mapping. Sixty participants were divided into two groups: the first were given a navigational task within a simulated city and the second were given the freedom to explore it. A Head-Mounted Display (HMD) Virtual Reality (VR) app allowed participants to switch between 2D and 3D representations of buildings with a remote controller and their use of these modes during the experiment was recorded. Participants performed mental rotation tests before entering the TopoIVE and were interviewed afterwards about their experiences using the app. The results indicate that participants preferred the 3D mode of representation overall, although preference for the 2D mode was slightly higher amongst those undertaking the navigational task, and reveal that different wayfinding solutions were adopted by participants according to their gender. Overall, the findings suggest that users exploit different aspects of 2D and 3D modes of visualization in their wayfinding strategy, regardless of their task. The potential to combine the functionality of 2D and 3D modes therefore offers substantial opportunities for the development of immersive virtual reality products derived from topographic datasets.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17538947 and 17538955
Volume :
14
Issue :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Digital Earth
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.32e8cc66234a3d9dacbefedbdb4a72
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2021.1984595