Roberts M and Vaeng – EXPECTATIONS AND PREJUDICES USURP JUDGEMENTS OF SCHEMATIC MAP EFFECTIVENESS 2016

Description

Roberts and Vaeng report a within-subjects usability study comparing two novel compact London Underground schematics: a conventional octolinear map and a curvilinear alternative previously rated worst in an online study. Twenty-two participants planned difficult cross-London journeys on both maps while planning time, estimated journey durations and detailed usability ratings were recorded. Objectively, the curvilinear map produced significantly faster planning times with no loss in estimated journey efficiency. Subjectively, however, participants preferred and rated the octolinear design more favorably; map choice tracked questionnaire scores but not actual performance. The authors attribute this dissociation to expectations, familiarity and surface-level judgments (e.g., mere-exposure effects and novice reliance on familiar visual conventions). They caution against relying on public preference or appearance-driven selection for map design and recommend that novel designs be supported by objective usability data and transition periods to build familiarity. They also note the result does not generalize to all networks; different systems may favour different schematic approaches.