Understanding Spatial Information Usage in a Mobile Context

GISRUK04, Nottingham, UK
April, 2006

Chao Li

Introduction

The rapid development of mobile telecommunication technologies and the usage of foreseeable applications provide the technological setting to enhance and change the ways people access and utilise spatial information. Thus spatial information will be accessed by individuals in real time, at any location and whilst on the move, to assist them in their spatial activities. However, such technologies and applications also pose new challenges and questions in research relating to spatial information usage in such mobile contexts. This paper presents a study into the usage of spatial information during wayfinding activities. The access and usage of spatial information by individuals is investigated by capturing the real-time interaction and spatial information transactions. Four distinct groups of individuals have been identified with marked differences in terms of their pattern of access and usage of spatial information.