The characteristics of navigation by foot
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Irmischer, I.
1UCSB Email: irmischer@geog.ucsb.edu
Abstract
Differing techniques for navigation by foot through the wilderness are used by hikers, search and rescue, firefighters, the military and many others. GPS trajectory data from ~1000 subjects were used to discover the individual characteristics of independent navigators while moving over hilly, wooded terrain. Generalizing these characteristics provides a model of navigation. Space time visualizations were used to analyze the data and communicate results. Each summer cadets from the United States Military Academy conduct dismounted navigation (navigation by foot) training at the United States Army training area in West Point, NY. The cadets navigate to 7 predetermined locations approximately 500 meters apart using only a topographic map and lensatic compass. The training is structured similar to an orienteering event. The movement of the cadets is recorded via GPS-enabled tracking devices for subsequent analysis. Task success is measured by how many correctly found points are recorded within the four hour event. Space time analysis of the trajectory data shows how slope and terrain type effect speed and effort. Individual differences due to such variables as gender, physical fitness, body mass index and intelligence were used to predict task accomplishment. In future work, algorithms and GIS tools will be developed to model and predict human energy expenditure during navigation.
Keywords
Navigation and Map Use; Space Time Analysis; Visual Analytics