Assessment of Productivity of Signs in an Indoor Pedestrian Network

Abstract

Most large transportation terminals in large cities serve commercial functions in addition to the transportation function. Modern transport terminals are complex structures. Variety of passengers including unfamiliar visitors using transportation terminals depends on sign system for successful navigation. This study investigates sign system of a transport hub containing seven independent railway stations in Osaka City, Japan. An inventory survey was carried out to record the type and location of all signs. Another survey was carried out to quantify the proportion of signs subjected to eye contact of pedestrians. A further study was carried out to monitor the route choice behavior of pedestrians and estimate the effectiveness of the existing sign system.