SituMap: A Multi-User, Multi-Touch, Multi-Mapping Application for Situation Awareness and Rapid Decision Making
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Smith, R.
1TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - CORPUS CHRISTI Email: richard.smith@tamucc.edu
Abstract
In a time sensitive event, such as an emergency response, spatial situational awareness is critical. Maps play an integral role in this response providing spatial situational awareness, however, the creation of these maps is often left to trained mapping professionals, who may not always be embedded in a response team. Therefore, the creation and use of maps, in the early hours of a response, especially for smaller responses, can be limited. Another reason for the limited mapping in these situations is the complexity of mapping applications and long training requirements. A typical workflow for mapping, is as follows: a mapping technician will create the map under direction of stakeholders who stand over their shoulder attempting to explain what they want mapped. Not only is this a poor use of personnel, the stakeholder has the difficult task of explaining what they wish to have mapped. In other words, the person having the knowledge that needs to be mapped is not making the map. Moreover, as the maps are being created on small screens by a single user, the space for collaboration is diminished for three reasons: people tend to silo themselves when focusing on a single screen; traditional mapping applications are focused on a single-user experience, thereby designating one person in control of the map; and small screens are difficult for people to collaborative use in an intuitive way. To address the issues outlined above, SituMap was created. SituMap is an easy-to-learn, multi-user, multi-touch software mapping application focused on cultivating participation, collaboration, conversation, and rapid decision making. SituMap is distinct from traditional mapping applications in two ways: simple, targeted mapping interface that requires virtually no training to effectively use; and its ability to provide mapping capabilities to multiple simultaneous users, on the same display, instead of traditional single-user focused software. SituMap is designed to be installed on a large freestanding surface table display surrounded by multiple users, however, SituMap can also operate on any size touch display. The primary interface of SituMap is a full-screen map that can be interacted with using fingers. The map can be panned, zoomed, and rotated a full 360 degrees, allowing for the map to orient to users no matter where they stand relative to the display. Additional maps can be added to the display so each user can interact with the map separately from the other users. The SituMap software design greatly increases the likelihood for rapid adoption and use by multiple stakeholders with no prior or formal training. Most applications are designed with complex and unintuitive interfaces, which require significant training for most people to learn. SituMap is intuitive, with the use of touch screen technology and natural interface gestures, and collaborative through the installation of the apps on a large interactive touch table, and ability for each user to simultaneously “drive” a portion of the app. The interactive touch table naturally acts as a physical space for users to co-occupy for discussion and planning, which reduces the potential for users to segregate themselves from other stakeholders. Simultaneous interaction promotes collaboration as each user can choose to interact within an independent space on the shared touch table and share their work.
Keywords
Collaboration; Multi-User; Planning