Navigation app and future spatial thinking: impacts of mobile navigation app on traveler route choice

Abstract

This study investigates the use of mobile navigation apps for way finding by travellers and the possible influence of these apps on navigator’s route choice and interaction with space. The study is based on data collected by distributing a questionnaire on- and offline among travellers who visit the Colombo metropolitan area on a daily basis. This research uses a questionnaire survey and accessibility scenario analysis using spatial analysis tools. Findings indicated that travellers use navigation apps for selection of route and destination in unfamiliar areas more often than in familiar areas. By now, a higher percentage tend to select routes which high in spatial configuration in terms of the betweenness and closeness centrality despite the high travel time at peak hour. Further, the study identified accessibility level varies based on two scenarios, i. Route choice influenced by the spatial configuration and ii. Travel time.