Landmark direction and distance estimation in large scale virtual environments

The current paper describes our classification of errors participants made when estimating direction and distances in a large scale (2000 m x 2000 m) Virtual Environment (VE). Two VE configuration groups (Low or High Interactivity) traversed a 400 m route through one of two Virtual Terrain's (Distinctive or Non-Distinctive or Terrain 1 and 2, respectively) in 100 m increments. The High VE group used a treadmill to move through the VE with head tracked visual displays; the Low VE group used a joystick for movement and visual display control. Results indicate that as experience within either terrain increased, participants demonstrated an improved ability to directionally locate landmarks. Experience in the environment did not affect distance estimation accuracy. Terrain 1 participants were more accurate in locating proximal, as opposed to distal, landmarks. They also overestimated distances to near landmarks and underestimated distances to far landmarks. In Terrain 2, the Low VE group gave more accurate distance estimations. We believe this result can be explained in terms of increased task demands placed on the High VE Group.