AGE GROUP DIFFERENCES IN THE PROCESSING OF A SIMULATED IN-VEHICLE DIGITAL MAP

ABSTRACT

The present study examines age effects on map processing in light of the concurrent trends of population aging and pervasive use of in-vehicle digital maps. 14 older adults and 14 college students participated in a simulation experiment where two levels of map orientation (north-up vs. track-up) and three levels of map hierarchy (procedural vs. concise vs. complete) were manipulated. The results indicated that older adults were less accurate at route identification and searched greater distances to recover from a navigation error. Older adults were particularly vulnerable to mental rotation, which was evidenced by their deficit to match the younger counterparts even when the map was displayed with track-up orientation. Nevertheless, older adults were able to achieve comparable performance in recovery from navigation errors if a complete map was provided. Detailed implications for the design of an in-vehicle digital map that accommodates age differences are discussed.

Keywords:

• Cognitive aging
• Human-computer interface
• Spatial cognition
• Digital map