title: Strategies for Selecting Routes through Real-World Environments: Relative Topography, Initial Route Straightness, and Cardinal Direction.
abstract: Previous research has demonstrated that route planners use several reliable strategies for selecting between alternate routes. Strategies include selecting straight rather than winding routes leaving an origin, selecting generally south- rather than north-going routes, and selecting routes that avoid traversal of complex topography. The contribution of this paper is characterizing the relative influence and potential interactions of these strategies. We also examine whether individual differences would predict any strategy reliance. Results showed evidence for independent and additive influences of all three strategies, with a strong influence of topography and initial segment straightness, and relatively weak influence of cardinal direction. Additively, routes were also disproportionately selected when they traversed relatively flat regions, had relatively straight initial segments, and went generally south rather than north. Two individual differences, extraversion and sense of direction, predicted the extent of some effects. Under real-world conditions navigators indeed consider a route's initial straightness, cardinal direction, and topography, but these cues differ in relative influence and vary in their application across individuals.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts, United States of America; Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Tad T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Brunyé
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States of America.
authors.forename: Zachary A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts, United States of America; Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cantelon
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts, United States of America; Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States of America.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States of America.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Linkov
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, Department of Psychology, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Holly A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation; D010934:Planning Techniques; D013028:Space Perception; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel