Route selection in barrier avoidance.

Background: Fajen and Warren's steering dynamics model can reproduce human paths around an extended barrier by adding 'waypoints' at each end - if one waypoint is selected to minimize the global path curvature (Gérin-Lajoie and Warren, 2008). We propose that waypoint selection behaves like a choice between two competing goals, in which the smaller distance (d) and deviation angle (β) is preferred (Ulrich and Borenstein, 1998). Here we manipulate these two variables to test the determinants of route selection.

Research Question: How does route selection in barrier avoidance depend on the local distance (d) and deviation angle (β) of each end, and on global path length (P) and curvature (C)?

Methods: Participants (Exp1 N = 19; Exp2 N = 15) walked around a barrier to a visible goal in a virtual environment. Barrier orientation and lateral position were manipulated to vary the difference in distance (Δd) and in deviation angle (Δβ) between the left and right ends of the barrier. Left/Right route data were analyzed using a mixed-effects logistic regression model, with Δβ, Δd, and observed ΔP and ΔC as predictors.

Results: The main effects of Δβ and Δd significantly predicted Rightward responses (p < .001), more strongly than ΔP and ΔC (ΔBIC = 29.5). When Δβ and Δd agreed, responses were toward the smaller distance and deviation (88% overall); when they conflicted, responses were in between (65% toward smaller β). The 75% choice threshold for Δβ was ±1.65˚, and for Δd was 0.75 m, from the 50% chance level.

Significance: During barrier avoidance, participants select a route that minimizes the local distance (d) and deviation angle (β) of the waypoint, rather than the global path length (P) or path curvature (C). These findings support the hypothesis that route selection is governed by competing waypoints, instead of comparing planned paths to the final goal.