Understanding Individual Differences and Identifying Cognitive Breakdowns in Way-finding for Vehicle Locating Device Design

摘要

This study investigated how memory retrieval and distraction are involved in the way-finding process and the impact on individual strategies and task duration in vehicle re-finding. Phase I used collected survey data to understand the perceived difficulty of the task, common strategies employed, and individual preferences. Results indicated that most people have difficulty with re-finding. Phase II considered the effects of distraction by simulating a vehicle re-finding scenario. The experiment determined that distracted participants may experience cognitive breakdowns leading to performance degradation. Design recommendations were developed to help users overcome distraction, remove attentional demands, and provide memory cues.