Tailoring Map Design Based on Map-Reading and Way-Finding Behaviour in Subway Stations

In task 1, all subjects were asked to reach an exit without reading a map and no one found the shortest way to the nearest exit. In task 2, subjects were asked to read a map, to plan a route for the designated exit, and then to reach it. 2D map subjects’ way-finding performance was superior to that of 3D map subjects. 2D map subjects had problems with stairway connections, but 3D map subjects were confused by the incompleteness of symbols. 2D map subjects used wall and action-based information to construct their route knowledge, but 3D map subjects tended to rely on landmarks.