Roberts M and Rose – MAP-INDUCED JOURNEY PLANNING BIASES FOR A SIMPLE NETWORK 2015

Description

The study compared four Docklands Light Railway schematic maps (Existing, Major-Axis, Major-Axis CTc, Non-Axis) using timed computer tasks (station finding, route planning, fare-zone identification), error analysis, and questionnaires with student participants. Objective measures showed small differences on basic tasks, but detailed analysis of journey choices revealed strong effects of map configuration. The Existing map, though preferred by users familiar with it, produced the most planning errors and incorrect direct-route beliefs. Major-Axis designs biased users toward inefficient routes by disrupting common, simple “hill-climbing” planning strategies (e.g., favoring Stratford over Poplar). The Non-Axis design performed best overall. Results highlight a trade-off between schematic simplification (clear lines, low cognitive load) and topographical fidelity (accurate distances/positions); map-implied distance, straightness of initial segments, and interchange depiction strongly influence choices. The authors warn that preference polls are unreliable for map selection and recommend objective usability testing and field validation to avoid misleading distortions.