Signage systems are the main means of resolving the wayfinding problem in an emergency evacuation. However, recent literature has proven that signage systems are often not effective in an indoor wayfinding decision-making situation. Many studies that attempted to solve the problem did not consider the interaction between the optimal location of signage systems and gaze characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to provide basic database to determine the optimal location of signage by analysing the characteristics of eye movements according to the type of junction. To achieve this, we conducted evacuation experiments in a maze set composed of eight junctions that we created ourselves and analysed the eye movement data of participants with 5196 gaze points and duration of 895,581.49 ms. The result showed that participants most often look between 100 cm and 150 cm (vertical height) in the corridor and in junctions. In addition, the gaze points of the evacuees are quantified by the horizontal and vertical directions according to the type of junction where the wayfinding decisions occur. This investigation showed that there are marked differences depending on the type.

Signage systems are visual information systems that indicate the direction, allow for identification, and show safety information and regulations to occupants via graphics or text during emergencies. Wayfinding is difficult in large and complex buildings, such as large shopping malls. Occupants can be disoriented while searching for their way in such buildings. This problem can be more serious in emergency situations, such as fires, than in normal situations. Signage systems can be helpful in solving this problem. Domestic and overseas standards on emergency signage systems specify that the signage should be noticeable, easy to read, and easy to understand. However, most regulations do not quantify the effectiveness of such signage systems under emergency situations. To address these issues, in this study, several experiments were conducted considering the viewing distance and angle using a backlit signage system, and changes in cognition under smoke conditions were analyzed. First, the concept of effective cognition area (ECA) was introduced to analyze the relationship between the viewing distance and angle. Experiments were conducted using a backlit emergency exit sign, and the changes in the ECA in a smoke situation were analyzed. Finally, the results of this study were compared with those of previous studies. Furthermore, the extent to which occupants can recognize the signage system was quantified. If the concept of ECA developed in this study is applied to the development of emergency signage design, more diverse evacuation scenarios could be designed.

This study analyzed the decision-making times (DMTs) of participants at T-type indoor intersections according to the horizontal/vertical installation locations and the arrow directions of escape route signs. A total of 120 university students participated in the study. We analyzed the DMTs and following rates (FRs) required for the participants to observe the visual stimuli of the signs installed in front of the T-type indoor intersections and then properly select a path according to the arrow direction of the signs. The results are as follows: (1) the participants exhibited shorter DMTs for the right arrow direction of the signs, (2) the Simon effect occurred when the horizontal installation location of the signs was more than 60 cm away from the center of the T-type indoor intersection on both sides, (3) the DMTs of participants increased when the vertical installation location of the signs was low. Finally, we proposed an optimal installation location of the signs to support the shortest DMTs at T-type indoor intersections. It is expected that the results of this study will provide a database of DMTs, based on the locations of the signs during emergency evacuations, and will be utilized to improve the installation guidelines and regulations of signs.

The door is a section prone to bottlenecks and is an important element in the study of pedestrian flow. Therefore, characteristics of doors (e.g., width, location, and the distance between doors) have been taken into consideration in the existing literature related to doors. According to several previous studies, it appears likely that the door opening process (DOP) influences pedestrian flow. However, the number of studies examining the DOP remains small. Therefore, to enhance understanding of pedestrian flow, we examined two door characteristics that could affect the DOP (opening direction (swing door: push or pull) and handle type (knob, lever, and panic bar)) and limited visibility. We conducted a walking experiment to take all variables (10 cases; 10 participants per case) into account. Statistical analysis was performed on the difference in movement times, and the results were as follows: (1) inclusion of the DOP affected pedestrian flow; (2) when visibility was limited, movement times with DOP inclusion increased significantly regardless of the door opening direction and handle type; (3) when the door opening direction was ‘push’, regardless of limited visibility and door handle type, movement times with DOP inclusion were significantly lower; and (4) the door handle type did not result in any significant difference in movement times with DOP inclusion. In addition, we calculated the delay time based on the experiment results, to include the DOP in pedestrian flow (push 1.96–2.88 s, pull 3.91–4.43 s; limited visibility: push 7.38–12.56 s, and pull 12.88–16.35 s). The results of this study could be used as basic data for the development of codes/regulations, engineering guidance, and egress models for doors.