Algorithms for Reliable Navigation and Wayfinding

Wayfinding research has inspired several algorithms that compute the shortest, fastest, or even simplest paths between two locations. Current navigation systems, however, do not take into account the navigational complexity of certain intersections. A short route might involve a number of intersections that are difficult to navigate, because they offer more than one alternative to turn left or right. The navigational complexity of such an intersection may require modified instructions such as veer right. This paper, therefore, presents a reliable path algorithm that minimizes the number of complex intersections with turn ambiguities between two locations along a route. Our algorithm computes the (shortest) most reliable path, i.e., the one with the least turn ambiguities. Furthermore, we develop a variation of this algorithm that balances travel distance and navigational complexity. Simulation results show that traversing a reliable path leads to less navigational errors, which in turn reduces the average travel distance. A further advantage is that reliable paths require simpler instructions.