Testing Guide Signs’ Visibility for Pedestrians in Motion by an Immersive Visual Simulation System

When we visit a complex public space such as a railway station or a large shopping mall for the first time, we must rely on guide signs to find our way. In crowded situations, we are called upon to read these signs while walking so as not to disturb pedestrian flow. The present study uses an immersive visual simulation system to examine the influence of observation conditions on sign detection and recognition. The experimental variables address the spatial layout of signs as well as the presence of other pedestrians. The results indicate some quantitative relationships between the above variables and readability and suggest effective layouts for signs in spaces where crowded conditions are unavoidable.