Development and user experience evaluation of an interactive application for temporal analysis of historical maps

Despite the growing availability of digitized historical maps, users still face a key bottleneck: interfaces rarely support efficient comparison across time periods and map types. This paper presents the development and evaluation of web-based application designed for exploring and comparing historical maps and aerial imagery. The platform integrates 72 sources and implements four comparison modes: single, swipe, multiview, and overlay. User experience was evaluated in a laboratory study with 54 participants using User Experience Questionnaire, eye-tracking, and interaction logging. Results indicate a highly positive overall user experience, with strong ratings for perspicuity, efficiency, and attractiveness. Eye-tracking and log data further showed that participants primarily focused on map content, consulted interface elements only briefly, and used comparison modes adaptively depending on task demands. The evaluation also identified several interaction issues relevant to interface refinement, particularly concerning control discoverability, spatial orientation, and feedback during missing-data or loading states. The evaluation is framed as a diagnostic user experience assessment with behavioral observation, used to identify usability-relevant issues and support design improvement. A case study demonstrates the application’s potential for analyzing long-term urban transformation. More broadly, the study shows how empirical UX evaluation can inform the refinement of publicly accessible historical map portals.