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The smoke is rising but where is the fire? Exploring effective online map design for wildfire warnings

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Abstract

The current study sought to offer guidance for developing effective web-based mapping tools for wildfire warnings by identifying (1) the important content for facilitating individuals’ decision-making, and (2) the optimal interface design for ensuring usability and ease of information access. A map-based warning tool was prototyped in the Australian context, followed by a usability and effectiveness evaluation through individual interviews and verbal protocol analysis to assess participants’ interaction with the mapping interface and information in response to the simulated warning scenario. The results demonstrated variations in participants’ approaches to wildfire warning response, revealing varied information needs. Specifically, most participants relied on their own assessment of the prospective threat, requiring specific wildfire-related information before eliciting a response. In contrast, the decision of a minority of the participants was motivated by response guidance from agencies, and accurate wildfire information was less important for their response. Imperative information for both types of residents therefore needs to be highlighted in a map-based warning tool to cater to a wide audience. Furthermore, a number of heuristics were identified for designing effective interactive functions to facilitate the control of, and access to, the various maps and textual information presented on the map-based warning interface.

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Notes

  1. The number does not equal to the total number of survey respondents (i.e. 264) because some participants did not respond to the question regarding their ‘fire-plan’.

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Acknowledgements

This work is a part of a Ph.D. project supported by the former Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre and the current Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre in Australia, the University of Western Australia, Austraining, and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (Australia). Special thanks go to all the participants who generously contributed their time to the interviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Yinghui Cao & Bryan J. Boruff

  2. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Ilona M. McNeill

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  1. Yinghui Cao
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  2. Bryan J. Boruff
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  3. Ilona M. McNeill
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Correspondence to Yinghui Cao.

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Cao, Y., Boruff, B.J. & McNeill, I.M. The smoke is rising but where is the fire? Exploring effective online map design for wildfire warnings. Nat Hazards 88, 1473–1501 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-017-2929-9

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