Modelling Wayfinding in Public Transport: Network Space and Scene Space

It is suggested that there are two cognitively different environments involved in the public transportation infrastructure: network space and scene space, and a novel model based on cognitive schemata and partial orders is proposed.

Abstract

Wayfinding in the public transportation infrastructure takes place on traffic networks. These consist of lines that are interconnected at nodes. The network is the basis for routing decisions; it is usually presented in maps and through digital interfaces. But to the traveller, the stops and stations that make up the nodes are at least as important as the network, for it is there that the complexity of the system is experienced. These observations suggest that there are two cognitively different environments involved, which we will refer to as network space and scene space. Network space consists of the public transport network. Scene space consists of the environment at the nodes of the public transport system, through which travellers enter and leave the system and in which they change means of transport. We explore properties of the two types of spaces and how they interact to assist wayfinding. We also show how they can be modelled: for network space, graphs can be used; for scene space we propose a novel model based on cognitive schemata and partial orders.