Integration of Virtual Reality, 3-D Eye-Tracking, and Protocol Analysis for Re-Designing Street Space

The objective of this paper is to develop an eye-tracking technology combined with a virtual reality system for an experimental study of an historical street design. Using protocol analysis, a set of design objects, parameters, and subjects are randomly selected for evaluation of the virtual street space of an ancient city. 3-D point-cloud data of spatial behaviors are tracked and analyzed. It is concluded that people with different cultural backgrounds each have a considerably different perception of the street space's characteristics. The methodology described in this paper can be used for spatial design of urban space in the future.