Spreading Map Information over Different Depth Layers – An Improvement for Map-Reading Efficiency?

Abstract

In recent years, True-3D representations such as lenticular visualization have entered the stage of analogue and, especially, digital cartography. The increase of 3D displays as products of mass media raises some fundamental questions about a new generation of 3D maps. Auto-stereoscopic displays allow cartographers to design 3D maps covering several information layers located at different positions along the depth axis. However, it remains unclear whether the opportunity to spread map information over different information depth layers can improve cartographic communication by helping to increase the duration and accuracy of map reading. This article presents the results of an empirical study, based on the test results achieved by 83 geography students who counted different map symbols in a series of 2D or 3D thematic maps of differing complexity. RÉSUMÉAu cours des dernières années, les représentations tridimensionnelles vraies comme la visualisation lenticulaire ont atteint le stade de l'analogie et particulièrement la cartographie numérique. L'augmentation des affichages 3D dans les médias de masse soulève quelques questions fondamentales relatives à une nouvelle génération de cartes 3D. Les affichages auto-stéréoscopiques permettent aux cartographes de dessiner des cartes 3D couvrant plusieurs couches d'informations se trouvant à différentes positions sur l'axe de la profondeur. Toutefois, on ne sait toujours pas avec certitude si la possibilité d'étaler les renseignements cartographiques sur différentes couches de profondeur peut améliorer la communication cartographique en contribuant à l'augmentation de la durée et de l'exactitude de la lecture de la carte. Cet article présente les résultats d'une étude empirique réalisée par 83 étudiants en géographie qui ont compté les résultats de différents tests dans une série de cartes thématiques 2D ou 3D de complexité différente.Mots clés : cartographie 3D, image tridimensionnelle vraie, visualisation lenticulaire, complexité, visualisation cognitive, cartographie empirique, traitement de l'information, lecture de carte, communication cartographique Spreading Map Information over Different Depth Layers -An Improvement for Map-Reading Efficiency?

True-3D Accentuating of Grids and Streets in Urban Topographic Maps Enhances Human Object Location Memory

“…Projecting an overlaying map grid closer to the user than other information layers increases the recall accuracy of object locations. In accordance with previous research [ 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 ], content highlighted in True-3D attracts and increases the user’s visual attention. An increased attention to the regular and orthogonal grid structures seems to further improve the chunking effect of grids that might lead to a more accurate object location memory (see also [ 32 – 35 , 39 , 40 ]).…”

“…Moreover, a trend is indicated that the True-3D variety also leads to more accurate results. It seems likely that the attraction of visual attention caused by the True-3D accentuated map elements increases the likelihood of these elements to guide object location memory (see also [ 49 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 57 ]). The True-3D depiction of streets emphasises their structure on the map surface, which seems to provide users with a better spatial orientation pattern to encode and recall object locations, compared to a 2D counterpart.…”

“…Exploring the opportunities of autosteroscopic displays in cartography, it was recently shown that the use of different z-positions can improve information processing. Maps are read significantly faster when map symbols are positioned in different depth layers [ 57 ].…”

“…However, it has not yet been explored whether using stereoscopic depth could bring an advantage for human object location memory in maps. Based upon the results of the literature compiled above [ 50 – 57 ], it can be assumed that true-3D depiction of chunking linear elements in maps would attract the map user’s attention. It thus can be expected that a greater visual attention to the chunking structures in maps, such as grids and streets, improves human object location memory.…”

“…Following the results of previous studies [ 8 , 19 , 30 , 40 ], it is assumed that the systematic structure of grids and the pattern of the streets divide the map surface into information aggregates, which enhances the spatial memory performance. The 3D depth effect (grid / street layer appears closer to the viewer) is expected to guide the user’s attention to the graphically emphasized orientation pattern provided by the grids and lines [ 50 – 57 ], and, thus, to support the user’s object location memory. Using a standard approach to investigate spatial memory the participants are asked to recall previously studied object locations learned from urban topographic maps (recall paradigm; see also [ 14 , 22 , 60 – 63 ].…”