Travel time cognition and latent (unconscious) learning

This paper tries to investigate how latent learning of a traveler from previous experiences shapes parts of the mental image; even for those parts of the network the traveler is unfamiliar with. In order to gain insight into the formation of a cognitive map and latent learning, in this paper we present the results of a driving simulator study executed among 90participants. In this experiment, the following independent variables were connected to theformation of a mental image of the network and the quality of the generalization of the unfamiliar parts of the network: (i) dispersion of the links’ travel time throughout thenetwork, (ii) number of trips the traveler makes, (iii) traveler’s gender, (iii) traveler’s driving experiences, (iv) traveler’s natural optimism or pessimism level, and (v) the presence of traffic signals. Several nonparametric (distribution-free) tests are employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that, apart from traveler’s gender other factors significantly affect the degree of the recognizability of the network elements by the traveler.

Keywords:

Latent learning , Experimental psychology , Day-to-day modeling , Travel time cognition and perception , Memory , Judgment error