Analysis of signage requirements for pedestrian movements

Road & Transport Research, Dec 1999 by Vandebona, U

Invited Paper

This paper won the John Taplin Prize for Best Paper presented at the 231d Australasian Transport Research Forum, held in Perth WA, 29 September-1 October 1999. ATRF papers are subjected to peer review. The paper is published here with the cooperation and permission of the organisers of the 23rd ATRF, in the interests of information dissemination.

Abstract

The role of passive guidance facilities such as conventional street signs in the context of way finding is analysed. In particular, effects of lack of signage are investigated using a simulation model. The analysis has focused on grid networks for the preliminary studies reported here.

The objective of the project is to contribute to the analytical basis related to signage planning. Proper signage costs substantial amounts to erect and maintain while lack of signs cause frustration to users, wastage of energy and travel time and imparts a poor image of the professionalism of planners. Planners involved in pedestrian movements within city centres, shopping plazas, large institutions, transport interchanges and exposition sites can benefit from this investigation. Lessons learned here have implications on street signage in general and are not limited to pedestrian traffic management. NAASRA guides and other relevant publications are reviewed to establish current standards and practices as a prelude to the model formulation.

The simulation model is based on the assumption that the primary objective of pedestrians is the minimisation of destination search time. An interesting outcome of results presented in the paper is the ability of this model framework to be applied to find the optimum user response for lack of signage. This aspect may be useful for developers of community education campaigns where thorough signage costs are prohibitive. Different systematic destination search strategies in a partially designated network are investigated and the quantitative analysis has identified an intuitively meaningful strategy for pedestrians who have to negotiate networks with poor signage.

INTRODUCTION

In recent years there is a significant interest about active guidance systems that rely on various communication strategies. Nevertheless the general community still relies on passive guidance facilities to a large extent and scope for improvement strategies need to be further investigated. The focus of this research project is to investigate the optimality of number of guidance signs provided from the point of view of cost of signage and ease of locating the destination.

The destination search processes within city centres, airports, exposition sites and within numerous large institutions in general rely on signs to assist the pedestrians. The ability to locate the destination without extensive random search is important to travellers as well as service providers.

Ramsay and Luk (1997) have already identified features that should be taken into account in the design and planning of on-road information signs and displays. These features include the type, information content, the size and conspicuity, the frequency of updating and location of the sign. However, these guidelines do not specify the frequency of signs. This study attempts to investigate the number and optimal location of the static information facilities that need to be installed to serve road users including pedestrians.

Our treatment of the problems is mainly simulation oriented. The accessibility is determined by simulating a set of alternatives to select the best alternative. Network analysis methods are adopted to facilitate quantitative treatment of signage location problems on networks. The finiteness of the link and node sets enables us to obtain efficient procedures to determine optimal locations on networks. The intention here is to establish the theoretical basis required to develop signage frequency policies.

Information demand

Accessibility information is an essential element of facilities used by public. For a public facility to be effectively used, the public must know where, when and how often the service is provided. Traditionally, network maps have been used in an attempt to provide the necessary information to the general public. These are, however, being superseded by new media available to communicate information to public.

Much of the information required by users is already available from various urban traffic control centres. Information on congestion, weather condition, traffic incidents and changes in the road network brought about by re-construction and maintenance is sought by police and motoring organizations and efforts are made to use this to the best advantage. The main challenge lies in the field of information transfer covering issues such as where, when, quantity, content, technology and cost of information. These issues have relationships among each other forming a triangular set of relationships as shown in Figure 1.

From the road user or pedestrian point of view, it is important to ensure that the information is available at anywhere and anytime along the network, and the message is easy to understand.