Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 93-179
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From page 93... ...
Consistency becomes visible to passengers through the following design elements: – Terminology and Message Hierarchy, – Visibility and Legibility, – Typography and Symbology, – Format and Color, and – Placement. The wayfinding inside a terminal should not be expected to overcome architectural wayfinding barriers.
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From page 94... ...
For an example of inconsistent terminology, the following is a list taken from a field survey at one airport that found six different messages referring to the same destination: • Train, • Transportation, • Train Central City, • Train to Central City, Figure 6.1. Example photo from a typical field survey.
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From page 95... ...
The wayfinding signs must be consistently located in the right place with the right message. It is important to think about where passengers are most likely to look for the information (e.g., they will be looking for baggage claim information as soon as they deplane)
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96 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Never combine two items of routing information on one sign by using a slanted arrow (45 degrees) for continuing straight ahead for a short distance and then turning.
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Note that "Ground Transportation" is used to represent the longest line length.
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Depending upon their familiarity with airport planning/design practices these comments may be assigned incorrectly (for example, many complaints at airports are wrongly-associated with airlines) , so it is important to gather accurate information.
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The big question is how have the wayfinding changes impacted the passenger wayfinding experience? Since the completion of the new sign system in 2003, the ACI ASQs have shown a continued trend of improved passenger satisfaction with the wayfinding experience at Port Columbus International Airport.
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The plan configuration simplifies the general wayfinding with an architectural space with clear visual access. Given these positive attributes, there is the physical challenge of simply walking from one end of 100 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside
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From page 101... ...
The directional signs in the concourse indicate specific gate ranges to passengers to ride the Express Tram for the quickest connection. A comprehensive design and planning approach at DTW helps provide the passenger with a positive wayfinding experience.
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6.2.2.1 Departing Passengers A typical wayfinding task for the departing passenger includes the following wayfinding chain elements: entrance, ticketing counter, security checkpoint and airline gate. In addition to these, 102 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.4.
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Terminal 103 Image courtesy of: Boston Logan International Airport. Figure 6.5.
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For international passengers, a typical wayfinding task may include primary des104 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.7. MUFIDs and directional signing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Airport (DTW)
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From page 105... ...
tinations such as: arrival gate, customs, baggage claim, security checkpoint, and departure gate. Domestic passengers experience similar wayfinding tasks minus customs.
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From page 106... ...
The wayfinding system does not properly explain the difference between the internal AirTrain and the external transit system, creating confusion among passengers that perceive it as one system. The AirTrain 106 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.8.
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The off-airport AirTrain Newark provides easy connections to and from NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak through one gateway -- Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Many airport designers see the solution in differentiation.
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108 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.10. Examples of AirTrain Map at EWR.
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Their experience consoling worried passengers provides a key component to the passenger wayfinding experience (Figure 6.12)
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Passive digital directories display a static image using a flat screen monitor. Interactive directories allow users to search 110 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.12.
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Terminal 111 "You Are Here" Maps A U.S. study41 evaluated airport terminal wayfinding systems at O'Hare airport in Chicago, focusing on visual elements such as signs, maps, and directions (Figure 6.13)
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This process involves selecting the correct path to a destination point and determining at which point a change of direction is required. Proper directional signing is nec112 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside
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6.5 Sign Design Elements 6.5.1 Terminology The goal to provide consistent terminology goes beyond a single airport. In order to improve the passenger wayfinding experience on a national and even global level it is important to establish consistent terminology from one airport to another.
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Recommended terminology for primary information shall include directions to: • Terminal(s) , • Ticketing/Check-In, • Baggage Claim, • Gates, and • Ground Transportation.
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Figures 6.14 through 6.16 illustrate one method of establishing a consistent point of reference to help facilitate passenger pick-up. Terminal 115 Term Number of Airports % Ground Transportation 25 81% Ground Transport 0 0% Taxi, Bus & Shuttles 0 0% Other 2 6% No response 4 13% Total 31 100% Exhibit 6.2.
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Arriving -- Connecting Arriving -- O & D Departing -- O & D • Gate • Restrooms • Ticketing • Skylink • Bag Claim • Security Checkpoint • Skybridge • Ground Transportation • Gate • Restrooms • Exit • Restrooms • Concessions • Parking • Concessions Step Three: Consistent implementation of the messaging hierarchy criteria. Figure 6.14.
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From page 117... ...
An example, and maybe the only existing case, for the totally international option is Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport which carries signs in English only with black letters on a yellow background. Examples of the second, balanced option between the domestic and the global are Toronto, which displays English and French side-by-side with equally sized letters (Figure 6.17)
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From page 118... ...
Figure 6.18. Signs at Hong Kong International Airport are blue with white letters, with German and Chinese, respectively, on top and English underneath, all languages with equally sized letters.
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Different messages (words) in different languages can vary greatly in line length, which impacts the sign layout because each language does not always fit line for line from sign to sign.
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Multiple airports use DMS technology to support multi-lingual needs in the international area and avoid many of the problems associated with multiple languages on static signs. Additional variables influence the use of other languages in areas beyond the International Arrival area such as: • A high percentage of non-English speaking travelers • Airlines • Major business corporations The combination of the research and surveys helped serve as an outline for best practices by providing appropriate alternative non-English wayfinding tools for non-English speaking passengers: • Consistent application of accepted international symbols adjacent to English only messaging.
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To the extent that a current standard exists, the symbol family developed by the American Institute of Graphic Arts for the U.S. DOT is the most commonly recognized.
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122 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.22. A stand-alone flag-mounted restroom symbol.
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. 6.5.2.3 Symbol Size Figure 6.26 shows the result of a test of the symbol for Ticket Purchase, to determine the minimum size at which the symbol was legible at different viewing distances.
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A rule of thumb for legible letter size for pedestrians is one inch of letter height for every 40 feet of viewing distance (a 3-inch tall letter is legible at 120 feet)
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Regardless of the individual colors used, care must be taken to ensure that there is adequate contrast between the symbol and the background upon which it appears for good legibility. When specifying symbols, the best practice is to follow the current standards as closely as possible.
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From page 126... ...
Overly intense illumination can also produce an undesirable effect known as "halation," in which illuminated graphics and characters tend to blur or merge together, becoming less distinct. 126 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.28b.
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From page 127... ...
This is typically undertaken only in situations where no commonly accepted single symbol standard exists, and there is a need to choose among possible alternatives or develop a new symbol. Terminal 127 Rental Car Although the current standard symbol for Rental Car has been in use for over thirty years, evidence suggests that it is not universally understood.
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. Symbols are evaluated based on a set of indices (hit rate, false alarm rate, missing values, subjective certainty, subjective suitability, pictogram preference, pictogram set preference)
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The following are seven MIA indices: • The hit rate • The false alarm rate • Missing values • Subjective certainty • Subjective suitability • Pictogram preference • Pictogram set preference. In most cases, performance data (hit rate, false alarm rate and missing values)
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130 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.30. Current aviation symbol standards.
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Terminal 131 Figure 6.30. (Continued)
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132 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.30. (Continued)
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Terminal 133 Figure 6.30. (Continued)
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134 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.30. (Continued)
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. Character width was a significant factor in legibility, with condensed sans serif performing relatively poorly and therefore not recommended.
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Legibility research indicates character width was the most significant factor in legibility, with condensed sans serif performing relatively poorly. British Airports Authority Ltd.
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The following are the four parts to spacing: • Letter spacing, a.k.a. kerning • Word spacing within a message • Line spacing between messages • Relational spacing within a sign grid Figures 6.36 through 6.40 demonstrate these four components of spacing.
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Figure 6.38. Line spacing examples.
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Relational spacing within a sign grid with multiple messages, symbols and arrow. Note: When designing the sign grid take into account the longest line length of any given message.
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Frutiger Bold still functions relatively well under low-vision conditions. Source: Typography and the Aging Eye: Typeface Legibility for Older Viewers with Vision Problems by Paul Nini (01.23.06)
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. Source: Typography and the Aging Eye: Typeface Legibility for Older Viewers with Vision Problems by Paul Nini (01.23.06)
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Text must be the proper size for readability from desired distances and must contrast clearly against the background. The demands of the aging eye, however, require typefaces that function well under low vision conditions.
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Mean legibility distances for guide sign arrowstyles. Source: National Park Service and Pennsylvania Transportation Institute.
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It is not practical to illustrate every condition, but the following illustrations will help to understand when using a down arrow is acceptable. 6.5.4.3 Angled Arrows Arrows placed on an angle have the potential to create more confusion for passengers than any other arrow for multiple reasons.
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From page 145... ...
In certain circumstances, an arrow pointing down, indicating ‘straight ahead,' can be used when there is an upwards vertical circulation nearby. Source: The Port Authority of NY & NJ Signing and Wayfinding Airport Standards Manual.
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From page 146... ...
Figure 6.53 illustrates a good example of this principle in airports at the vestibules where passengers exit from the baggage claim area to the curbside ground transportation area. Figure 6.52 and 6.53 demonstrate an easy trap to fall into: trying to use an existing sign to indicate a decision point past the sign.
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From page 147... ...
Color combinations should be chosen carefully with light reflectance values in mind and certain color combinations should be avoided. Considerations for airports using a single primary color: • Reserve the single sign color application for wayfinding only to provide focus and clarity to the wayfinding components by not having to compete with surrounding visual elements.
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From page 148... ...
148 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Source: The Sign Users Guide, Copyright 1988, by James Claus and Karen E Claus and Sign of the Times Publishing Company.
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Terminal 149 Figure 6.57. Best color combinations used in lettering of outdoor advertising displays ranked in order of legibility of letters from a distance.
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From page 150... ...
The airport architecture ultimately dictates the mounting height of the overhead directional signs so it is important to survey the varying conditions in order to determine a consistent mounting height for these sign types as well as identify exceptions such as low ceilings. The minimum height per ADA standards for overhead signs is 6′-8″ (Figure 6.58)
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From page 151... ...
6.6.1.3 Wall-Mounted Signs While wall-mounted signs are subject to ADA guidelines, it is important to recognize the human factors that apply to the viewing angles. The mounting heights of the 95th and 5th percentile of men and women (95m, 5m, 95w, 5w)
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From page 152... ...
A typical data base consists of the following three parts: • Sign location plans -- show where each sign is located either on site plan or architectural floor plan • Message schedule -- lists the message for each sign along with the signtype • Signtype illustrations and or photos -- indicates sign construction details and information 152 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Source: Mineta San Jose International Airport. Figure 6.60.
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Terminal 153 Figure 6.62. The mounting heights of a seated person and users in wheelchairs, with respect to the 10 viewing angle from the line of sight.
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. 154 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside
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. • The maintenance and cost issues of making message changes to the sign face and how those costs are budgeted.
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Testing i. Construction of typical lighted sign boxes to be used in bench testing several different brands of LED lighting.
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over the 50,000 hour (warrantied) life span of LED lamps versus existing fluorescent.
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From page 158... ...
This includes considering if the product can be disassembled, recycled, or reused. 158 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside
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. The airport surveys provided the following responses when asked about safety-related sign and wayfinding issues at the terminal: • Escalator signing is always an issue -- tendency is to add more signs.
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The information contained in this section is based on the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and the Air Carrier Access Act. 160 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.66.
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Finally this section will provide a road map for designers and managers looking to integrate accessible wayfinding into their facility plans. This section is meant to be utilized by designers and managers in three stages including: • Managing Codes and Code Compliance • Developing specific strategies for sign legibility for both the blind and visually impaired based on accessibility codes and best practices.
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162 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.67. This matrix helps analyze the wayfinding experience from an accessibility perspective of getting to the gate as well as getting from the gate to ground transportation.
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Terminal 163 From the Gate Figure 6.67. (Continued)
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The visually impaired utilize their eyes to navigate their environment, but need the assistance of larger and clearer visual elements that contrast with the surrounding environment. The needs of the blind and the visually impaired often conflict in building codes and often require different systems in airport environments.
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6.8.1.5 Strategies for the Visually Impaired Developing wayfinding programs for the visually impaired is a combination of specific code requirements as well as best practices for legibility in the environment. The ADA and accessibility codes cover the following issues.
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From page 166... ...
All overhead signs generally must have text at least 2 inches in height and often far larger text heights are required. 6.8.1.6 Best Practices for the Visually Impaired In addition to building codes, a number of best practices have been utilized in airport facilities for visually impaired that have been advised by a number of designers.
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From page 167... ...
Figure 6.73. In the Minneapolis International Airport Sign System by Apple Design, multiple changes in ceiling height require different font heights to be used.
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From page 168... ...
When multiple languages are used on a sign, it is important that the same standards of legibility are used for all languages. It is also important that multiple languages are differentiated on a sign like at Ottawa McDaniel Airport designed by Gottshalk and Ash (Figure 6.76)
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From page 169... ...
6.8.1.7 The Mobility Impaired Codes oriented for wayfinding for the mobility impaired focus on the same issues that address the blind including the height of signs off the ground and the size of sign information. Most issues related to the mobility impaired are addressed in the Air Carrier Access Act which governs the support services of the airport facility as much as specific wayfinding legibility issues.
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From page 170... ...
. 6.8.1.9 Dual Signs In an effort to resolve the sign standards between the blind and the visually impaired, the ADA, ANSI, and IBC allow for the use of dual signs or separate sign information for the blind and the visually impaired.
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At Hong Kong International Airport (Figure 6.81) redundant combinations of dynamic message signs are placed low to the ground for the mobility impaired and overhead with larger font sizes for the visually impaired.
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172 Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Figure 6.80. Dual signs at Minneapolis International Airport.
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6.8.1.13 Air Carrier Access Act -- Overview and Recommendations Airports specifically have been given recent guidance on disabilities issues with the recently enacted Air Carrier Access Act. This act specifically puts the responsibility on the airport and the airline to provide assistance and access for the disabled from curbside to airplane.
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From page 174... ...
Legibility Strategy Unique to most airports, San Jose develops legibility guidelines in-house to allow for more control over the management of ongoing sign programs. These legibility guidelines include standard governing destination hierarchy and font heights throughout the airport facility as well as guidelines governing the placement of signs to reduce clutter and standards for color contrast and lighting.
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From page 175... ...
Managing the Wayfinding Experience To meet the needs of the newly enacted Air Carriers Access Act, San Jose has developed an experiential analysis approach based on interviews with the blind and visually disabled as well as supporting views from consultants and advocates for the disabled. The prepared report charts the wayfinding experience for the disabled throughout the airport, providing recommendations at specific decision points.
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From page 176... ...
Per the Air Carrier Access Act, the airline has to assist the traveler all the way through to the point of departing the airport such as taking him to a taxi or shuttle. – Upon return to SJC, he will ask the airline to take him to the Outreach pickup curb – He calls ahead and makes pickup reservation.
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From page 177... ...
• Security -- Most security lines are already set up to handle the blind through multiple layers of security assistance and clear stanchion based lines. • Attendants -- Because of the Air Carrier Access Act airlines must have a person on call that can take a visitor from curbside, through security, and all the way to the gate.
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From page 178... ...
• Write an accessibility narrative starting at the curb, and progressing to the gate, describing the specific issues and recommendations for each area in the wayfinding process. • Develop a series of recommendations based on the needs of the blind, visually impaired and mobility impaired.
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From page 179... ...
• Specify matte finishing. Figure 6.85 is a sample of required documentations for accessible tactile signs.
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