SNSF | P3 Research Database

artificial intelligence; spatial cognition; simulation geographic information science; navigation; wayfinding knowledge representation; envirommental psychology; wayfinding; transportation; multi-agent simulation; spatial cognitionw

English title	Simulating multi-modal wayfinding
Applicant	Timpf Sabine
Number	109621
Funding scheme	Project funding
Research institution	Geographisches Institut Universität Zürich
Institution of higher education	University of Zurich - ZH
Main discipline	Information Technology
Start/End	01.11.2005 - 31.08.2006
Approved amount	74'563.00

Lead

Lay summary
Wayfinding is a complex human activity involving moving along while evaluating alternatives and making decisions. Multi-modal wayfinding is defined as wayfinding using several means of transportation within a transportation network. Wayfinding is defined as a spatial problem solving process with the three sub-processes: (a) decision making, (b) decision execution, and (c) information processing. In this project we focus mainly on the information processing aspect of wayfinding.The main scientific goal of the project is a cognitively plausible model for the simulation of multi-modal wayfinding in urban environments. The common goal of the two projects is a simulation of multi-modal wayfinding in urban environments. We will attain this goal by integrating the results of two sub-projects transfer models and landmark models using agent technology. The agents will travel from a given start to a specific destination using different transportation modes and adjusting to the constraints given by traffic networks and the spaces involved. The simulation can serve as basis for a mobile navigation service. The service may be used via personal digital assistants (PDA) or cell phones (e.g., through UMTS).We have at our disposal detailed data of Zurich (maps and our own surveys) and transportation data (network and timetables) from the public transportation authority in Zurich (VBZ). The project applies research results from architecture, psychology, navigation, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction to the specific problem of multi-modal wayfinding. It falls within the scientific fields of spatial cognition, knowledge engineering and geographic information science.

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Last update: 21.02.2013