Design of a Map for an Underground Parking Space Using Wayfinding and Route Description

抄録

This study investigates the signs and maps for the largest underground parking garage in Taipei City, to determine how users find the way back on foot to the places where their cars are parked and the potential problems with the current map. In the first step, using the current installed signs and maps, a parking space wayfinding experiment is conducted to determine the problems and to allow the proposal of a better sign/map design. The second step determines the effectiveness of the new map by asking subjects to plan a route, describe a route and perform a second wayfinding task. The results show that the order of the parking space numbers is the most important information for subjects performing a wayfinding task. Most subjects assume that there is a correlation between the area number and the parking space number, so they use area numbers first to self-locate and then look for parking space numbers. It is found that exits that are clearly marked on the map help subjects to self-locate in the given environment. The new map, designed using the results of the study, effectively solves the problems encountered during parking space wayfinding.