Work

The Influence of the Relationship Between Landmark Symbol Types, Annotations, and Colors on Search Performance in Mobile Maps Based on Eye Tracking

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Mobile map landmark symbols are pivotal in conveying spatial semantics and enhancing users' perception of digital maps. This study employs a three-factor hybrid experimental design to investigate the effects of different landmark symbol types and their color associations with annotations on search performance using eye-tracking methods. Utilizing the Tobii X2-60 eye tracker, 40 participants engaged in a visual search task across three symbol types (icons, indexes, and symbols) and two color conditions (consistent and inconsistent). The study also examines the impact of gender on search performance. Results indicate that INDEX symbols, emphasizing landmarks' functions and key features, most effectively improve search accuracy and efficiency while demanding the least cognitive effort. In contrast, SYMBOL type characters, with clear semantics and minimal information, require less visual attention, facilitating faster preliminary processing. Additionally, cognitive style differences between genders affect these symbols' effectiveness in visual search. Careful selection of symbol types and color combinations can significantly enhance user interaction with mobile maps.

Source: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information

DOI: 10.3390/ijgi14030129

Authors: Hao Fang, Hongyun Guo, Zhangtong Song, Nai Yang, Rui Wang, Fen Guo

Institutions: Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan Business University, China University of Geosciences

Language: English

Topic: Geographic Information Systems Studies

Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,292

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China