Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto
Pedestrian Navigation Applications (PNAs) provide assistance in terms of self-localization, space recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation. The use, motivations and perceptions associated with these applications have been under investigated due to users being insufficiently involved in their design...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-06-01
|
| Series: | ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/7/446 |
| _version_ | 1797528247607492608 |
|---|---|
| author | Fernando Fonseca Elisa Conticelli George Papageorgiou Paulo Ribeiro Mona Jabbari Simona Tondelli Rui Ramos |
| author_facet | Fernando Fonseca Elisa Conticelli George Papageorgiou Paulo Ribeiro Mona Jabbari Simona Tondelli Rui Ramos |
| author_sort | Fernando Fonseca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Pedestrian Navigation Applications (PNAs) provide assistance in terms of self-localization, space recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation. The use, motivations and perceptions associated with these applications have been under investigated due to users being insufficiently involved in their design and development. This paper analyses the extent to which PNAs are used for assisting people to walk, the frequencies and reasons of using these applications, the perceptions about them, and the barriers preventing them from being used. The study is supported by a questionnaire (<i>N</i> = 1438) that was administered in Bologna (Italy) and Porto (Portugal). Results indicated that 42% of the respondents use PNAs mainly on an occasional basis to find locations and the shortest routes. Google Maps was the preferred navigation service. Statistical tests showed that PNAs were more likely to be used by younger adults and students. The lack of need was the main reason for not using these apps, due to the good spatial knowledge of the cities or the non-use of the pedestrian mode for regular trips. Respondents would like to have apps that are more accurate, usable, and adjusted to pedestrian navigation. The findings described in this paper could be helpful for future designs of PNAs, especially to match pedestrian needs more effectively and to enhance the role of these apps in promoting healthier and sustainable lifestyles. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:55:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-25f5a39773324757a4bebbb8d8c45eb1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2220-9964 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:55:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |
| spelling | doaj.art-25f5a39773324757a4bebbb8d8c45eb12023-11-22T02:19:50ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642021-06-0110744610.3390/ijgi10070446Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and PortoFernando Fonseca0Elisa Conticelli1George Papageorgiou2Paulo Ribeiro3Mona Jabbari4Simona Tondelli5Rui Ramos6CTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyE.U.C. Research Centre, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, CyprusCTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalCTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalDepartment of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyCTAC (Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, PortugalPedestrian Navigation Applications (PNAs) provide assistance in terms of self-localization, space recognition, and turn-by-turn navigation. The use, motivations and perceptions associated with these applications have been under investigated due to users being insufficiently involved in their design and development. This paper analyses the extent to which PNAs are used for assisting people to walk, the frequencies and reasons of using these applications, the perceptions about them, and the barriers preventing them from being used. The study is supported by a questionnaire (<i>N</i> = 1438) that was administered in Bologna (Italy) and Porto (Portugal). Results indicated that 42% of the respondents use PNAs mainly on an occasional basis to find locations and the shortest routes. Google Maps was the preferred navigation service. Statistical tests showed that PNAs were more likely to be used by younger adults and students. The lack of need was the main reason for not using these apps, due to the good spatial knowledge of the cities or the non-use of the pedestrian mode for regular trips. Respondents would like to have apps that are more accurate, usable, and adjusted to pedestrian navigation. The findings described in this paper could be helpful for future designs of PNAs, especially to match pedestrian needs more effectively and to enhance the role of these apps in promoting healthier and sustainable lifestyles.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/7/446pedestrian navigationappswayfindingorientationspatial cognitionwalking |
| spellingShingle | Fernando Fonseca Elisa Conticelli George Papageorgiou Paulo Ribeiro Mona Jabbari Simona Tondelli Rui Ramos Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information pedestrian navigation apps wayfinding orientation spatial cognition walking |
| title | Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto |
| title_full | Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto |
| title_fullStr | Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto |
| title_full_unstemmed | Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto |
| title_short | Use and Perceptions of Pedestrian Navigation Apps: Findings from Bologna and Porto |
| title_sort | use and perceptions of pedestrian navigation apps findings from bologna and porto |
| topic | pedestrian navigation apps wayfinding orientation spatial cognition walking |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/10/7/446 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fernandofonseca useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT elisaconticelli useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT georgepapageorgiou useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT pauloribeiro useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT monajabbari useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT simonatondelli useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto AT ruiramos useandperceptionsofpedestriannavigationappsfindingsfrombolognaandporto |