Landmarks as Navigational Aids on Street Maps

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Abstract
Landmarks have been defined as points of reference external to the observer that should exhibit clear form and contrast with the background (Lynch 1960). Landmark information has been shown both to be an important aid in wayfinding and to provide a framework from which the environment may be learned. Landmarks included on most street maps are, however, usually limited to tourist attractions. This article describes a study that tests the effectiveness of selecting landmarks for use as navigation aids. Three street maps with different landmark treatments are compared. The first map includes supplemental landmarks (added landmark information) represented by geometric symbols, the second includes the same supplemental landmarks represented by stereotype sketches from a horizontal view, and the third includes no supplemental landmarks. Each map is used by a different group of subjects in a simulated route-following task. Results indicate that supplemental landmark information decreases the number of wayfinding...

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