City Navigation
City Navigation expands on an earlier spatial navigation experiment by translating maze-based route learning into a larger, city environment. Participants first learn predefined routes through a virtual city and are then tested on their ability to navigate between locations under changing environmental conditions.
I developed the Unity environment and gameplay systems supporting multiple routes, learning and testing trials, landmark-based navigation, and experimental stressors, including roadblocks, time pressure, and limited visibility. The project was designed to maintain consistent research conditions while creating a clear and readable navigation experience for participants
Process
I designed the environment as a city grid with distinct streets and recognizable landmarks that participants could use as spatial reference points. I designed three navigation routes with separate learning and testing trials, allowing participants to repeatedly learn a route before being placed at different locations and asked to navigate toward a target.
To support controlled experimentation, I developed systems for route switching, trial management, player teleportation, objectives, timing, and CSV data logging. The environment was iteratively refined to keep routes readable while mianintining consisintent epxeirmental conditions across trials.
Weather Conditions/Limited Visibility
Limited visibility alters environmental conditions through effects such as rain, fog, or darkness. These changes reduce the visual information available to the participant and test their ability to navigate using previously learned spatial information and landmarks.
Road Block
Road Block modifies learned routes by introducing obstacles that prevent participants from following the expected path. Participants must adapt their navigation strategy and find an alternate route while still reaching the assigned destination.
Time Pressure
Time Pressure introduces a countdown based on the participant's previous route-learning performance. This creates an individual navigation constraint while allowing the experiment to exaamine how limitited time affects route recall and decision making
City Navigation
City Navigation
Arrows_Route2
Route3_FinalizedPlacements
