Evaluation of User Performance in Interactive and Static 3D Maps
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Date
2019-10-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Interactive 3D visualizations of geospatial data are currently available and popular through
various applications such as Google EarthTM and others. Several studies have focused on user
performance with 3D maps, but static 3D maps were mostly used as stimuli. The main objective of this
paper was to identify differences between interactive and static 3D maps. We also explored the role of
different tasks and inter-individual differences of map users. In the experimental study, we analyzed
effectiveness, efficiency, and subjective preferences, when working with static and interactive 3D
maps. The study included 76 participants and used a within-subjects design. Experimental testing
was performed using our own testing tool 3DmoveR 2.0, which was based on a user logging method
and open web technologies. We demonstrated statistically significant differences between interactive
and static 3D maps in effectiveness, efficiency, and subjective preferences. Interactivity influenced
the results mainly in ‘spatial understanding’ and ‘combined’ tasks. From the identified differences,
we concluded that the results of the user studies with static 3D maps as stimuli could not be transferred
to interactive 3D visualizations or virtual reality.
Description
Subject(s)
3D geovisualizations, 3D map, 3DmoveR, level of interactivity, map tasks, map users, OSIVQ, user’s performance, user study