尋路地圖視角和地標形式的使用性研究

Effects of Map View and Landmark Presentation Styles on Usability of Wayfinding Maps

尋路是人們活動於生活空間中經常面臨的問題。尋路問題的決策需要有空間資訊的協助，而地圖則是提供空間資訊的有用工具。尋路地圖則是以尋路為主要功能的地圖類型。設計尋路地圖時，除了資訊內容的正確性之外，在決定地圖表現形式時，也應考慮如何讓使用者能正確和舒適地使用地圖。由於使用者間的個別差異，特別是空間能力方面，使得地圖表現形式因素，可能導致地圖的使用性有所差異。本研究在地圖表現形式的諸因素中，選擇以“地圖視角＂和“地標形式＂作為主要研究變項，並假設符合使用者視覺印象的地圖視角和地標形式，其所需的認知負荷較低，因而會有較佳的使用性。主要研究內容為：以地圖視角和地標形式的形式變化，繪製同一園區範圍的4種尋路地圖，透過使用性工程方法，以模擬實驗進行尋路任務，量測地標定位和路徑學習的使用性效標，並調查使用者主觀滿意度，以分析地圖視角和地標形式和地圖使用性的關係。實驗的主要發現有：（1）透視視角配以具象地標的尋路地圖，使用績效較佳，主觀滿意度也較高；（2）透視視角的尋路地圖，在使用績效與滿意度都優於俯視地面的尋路地圖；（3）各種尋路地圖的主觀滿意度依序為：具象地標透視地圖最高，其次為立面地標俯視地圖、幾何地標透視地圖，平面地標俯視地圖最低。本研究結果符合假設，使用者解讀符合視覺印象的地圖視角和地標表現方式較為容易，主觀上也較能接受。本研究的結果可作為區里型空間尋路地圖設計的參考。

People often need to find ways. This problem can be more easily resolved with the help of certain spatial information, such as that conveniently provided in maps. Wayfinding maps serve mainly to help users find ways. Apart from the accuracy of information contained, the design of the maps should ensure easy and comfortable use. Owing to individual variation in spatial ability, the presentation styles of map would cause difference in usability among users. This study examined the effect on views and landmark presentation styles on map usability. It is hypothesized that maps with views and landmark presentation styles that match the user's visual perception would require less cognitive effort, and are thus of higher usability. Four maps of a public park were made with variations in views and landmark presentation styles and subjects were asked to locate specified positions and memorize the route. Data for measuring usability including correction, time, and subjective user satisfaction were collected. The results show that maps with the perspective view and figurative landmarks were of higher usability and offered greater subjective satisfaction than maps with panoramic view. Maps ranked in order of subjective user satisfaction are as follows: perspective map with figurative landmarks, survey map with facade landmarks, perspective map with geometric landmarks, and survey map with plan landmarks. Evidence supporting our hypothesis is found in that users find it easier to use and accept maps with views and landmarks presentation styles that match their visual perception. The findings of this study can serve as useful reference for designing wayfinding map for neighborhood areas.