(The) behavioral and cognitive effects of map and augmented reality navigation paradigms

Abstract

Navigation system providing route-guidance and traffic information is one of the most widely used driver-support system these days. Generally, navigation system is based on the map paradigm representing driving route on the abstracted two-dimensional electronic map and providing exocentric view. Recently, a new navigation paradigm was introduced that is based on the augmented reality (AR) paradigm representing driving route by superimposing virtual objects on the real scene image and providing egocentric view. These two paradigms have their own innate characteristics from the point of human cognition, so are not in the relationship of competitive but complementary. Regardless of the paradigm, the role of navigation system is to support driver achieving his driving goals. The objective of this work is to investigate how these map and AR navigation paradigms have behavioral and cognitive effect on achieving driving goals: productivity and safety. We performed comparative experiments using driving simulator and computers with subjects. For the effects on productivity, driver’s performance on three level of driving tasks was measured for each navigation conditions. For the effects on safety, driver’s situation awareness of safety-related events on the road was measured. To find how these navigation paradigms impose visual cognitive workload on driver, we tracked driver’s eye movements. As a special factor of driving performance, route decision making at the complex decision points such as junction, overpass, and underpass was investigated additionally. Participant’s subjective workload was assessed using the Driving Activity Load Index (DALI). Results indicated that there was little difference between the two navigation paradigms on driving performance. AR navigation attracted driver’s visual attention more frequently than map navigation and then reduces awareness of and proper action for the safety-related events. AR navigation was faster and better to support rou...