March 14, Discovery: Initial Wayfinding Observations SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Item NoB: 6a_supp Meeting Date: March 14, 2017 2 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 END Route 1 START Route 1 3 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 START Route 1 Recommendation: 2. Dynamic vs. Static: Use flexible dynamic Airline ID signs for possible future airline location changes (i.e. CUTE systems) Recommendation: Departures/Arrivals ID: Enhance curb function ID by adding additional messaging/symbols to signs Evaluate door numbering scheme Observation: 2. Dynamic vs. Static: Current Airline ID signs use static messaging only (both Departures & Arrivals curbs) Observation: 1. Departures/Arrivals ID: No current reinforcement for each curbs function (i.e. “Departures” and “Arrivals” or “Ticketing/Check in” and “Baggage Claim”) on overhead signs or terminal entrances 3 4 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Observation: Directionals: Entry to ticketing area appears to be missing directionals at key decision points/reassuring intervals Recommendation: Directionals: Add directionals at more frequent intervals for reassurance/reinforcement Observation: 2. Advertising: Abundance of advertising competes with/visually overpowers wayfinding signage Recommendation: 2. Advertising: Reduce quantity of advertising wherever possible 4 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Observations: 1. Mounting Height: Overhead directionals are currently mounted very high above circulation pathways 2. Color Palette: Existing wayfinding signage color palette blends into the interior environments/background Recommendations: 1. Mounting Height: Mount overhead directionals closer to comfortable pedestrian scaled viewing level (+/- 0”min to 10’ 0” max) 2. Color Palette: New color palette to help wayfinding signage stand out from surrounding environments Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Observation: 3. Signage Hierarchy: Arrangement of FIDS, directories and wayfinding signage appear somewhat cluttered and may cause confusion Recommendation: 3. Signage Hierarchy: Rearrange wayfinding elements with improved placement and hierarchy of sign types for primary vs secondary vs tertiary messages 7 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 1. Primary Decision Point: Add directional signage at primary decision point for reinforcement of arrival at checkpoint area entrance/hall Observation: 1. Primary Decision Point: No directional signage at primary decision point for reinforcement of checkpoint area entrance/hall wayfinding 7 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 1. Wayfinding Signage: Enhance checkpoint entrances with new signage at improved scale/mounting height for enhanced reinforcement Observation: 1. Wayfinding Signage: Wayfinding signage at entrance to checkpoint area entrance/hall is visually muted and too low to be seen in large crowds 8 9 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendations: 1. Scale: Increase size of directionals 2. Illumination: Illuminate entire sign face 3. Add signage parallel to circulation and processing Observations: 1. Scale: Existing soffit directionals appear out of scale/too small 2. Illumination: Inconsistent use of illumination on directionals 9 10 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 1. Messages/Hierarchy: Divide messaging into multi-line groups of destinations organized by similarity and/or proximity Open up kerning/tracking to reduce halation on illuminated signs, while being easier to read from increased distances Observation: 1. Messages/Hierarchy: Current message hierarchy is overwhelming/confusing and combines too many gate listings in single lines of text No ascending or descending alpha/numeric nomenclature which is non-intuitive, font and kerning (spacing between letters) are difficult to read from increased distances and create halation issues on some illuminated signage 10 11 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 END Route 1 Recommendation: 1. Dynamic Signage: Use consistent technology and presentation of dynamic information across all Airport areas whenever possible Full color, full matrix screen technology readily available and cost effective. Observation: 1. Dynamic Signage: Are dynamic signs used consistently throughout all gate areas? Is the presentation of dynamic display technology consistent? Industry Example Industry Example Industry Example Industry Example Next Steps Perform an airport-wide signage and wayfinding study Route 2: Checkpoint 2 to S Gates (via South Train) Route 3: International Arrivals to Baggage Claim Route 4: N Gates to S Gates Identify deficiencies through a gap analysis Prepare recommendations to address short term deficiencies Implement interim signage project to correct deficiencies Milestones in 2018 and Beyond Develop/revise signage standards Develop master plan consistent with ACRP Report 52 - Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside Implement capital projects in multiple areas: roadways, garage, terminal and other airport facilities March Discovery: Initial Wayfinding Observations SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Thank You Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Observations: 1. Visual Clutter: Considerable amount of regulatory signs on curbs creates visual clutter 2. Tone -voice: Abundance of regulatory signs may reflect a more negative tone- -voice for the Airport Recommendations: 1. Visual Clutter: Reduce frequency/types of regulatory signs 2. Tone -voice: Reduction of regulatory signs may help result in a more positive tone- -voice for the Airport Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 3. Dynamic vs. Static: Use flexible dynamic Airline ID signs for possible future airline location changes (i.e. CUTE systems) Observation: 3. Dynamic vs. Static: Current Airline ID signs use static messaging only Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 4. Advertising: Advertising/tertiary signage at key decision points should be secondary to wayfinding signage Observation: 4. Advertising: Advertising/tertiary signage at key decision point appears as primary and appears cluttered Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 5. Pathway Entrance: Remove visual clutter at this location by reducing number of signage elements and types Reinforce traffic flow with graphic enhancement to better visually frame areas around pathway entrance (soffit, walls, floors, etc). 23+ various sign in visual landscape. Observation: 5. Pathway Entrance: Entrance to pathway area (leading to checkpoint area) appears cluttered and difficult to distinguish as a primary pathway Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 6. Old Signage: Remove old/outdated signage (patch/repair surfaces as required) Install new/more visible signage for improved wayfinding where applicable Observation: 6. Old Signage: Older elevator signage appears on several soffits throughout lobby areas Not located in ideal locations for visibility Appears in general disrepair and doesn’t match other wayfindng Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 2. Secondary/Tertiary Signage: Tone down and limit secondary/tertiary/services signage at key decision points Observation: 2. Secondary/Tertiary Signage: Secondary/tertiary/services signage at key decision point appears visually overpowering in comparison to wayfinding signage. Message to traveler, Currency Exchange is greatly more important that required wayfinding. Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 2. Overhead Advertising: Reduce quantity or remove advertising within checkpoint areas for de- clutter of overhead spaces Observation: 2. Overhead Advertising: Advertising competes with and visually overpowers wayfinding signage Advertising clutters view of overhead spaces 26 Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 3. Advertising Arrow Use: Revise“Eat & Shop” graphics program to eliminate arrow to avoid possible wayfinding confusion Observation: 3. Advertising Arrow Use: Existing “Eat & Shop” graphic utilizes an arrow that may be confused with actual wayfinding direction to those areas Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 2. Symbol Use: Incorporate conventional wayfinding scheme, always providing message text in conjunction with symbols for clarity/reinforcement Reconfigure layout to accommodate messages always in combination with symbols Limit secondary/tertiary destinations and move them to secondary/tertiary sign types Observation: 2. Symbol Use: Symbols without accompanying message text tend to be confusing or are generally ignored Symbols take up a large amount of sign space Secondary/tertiary symbol destinations are shown on primary wayfinding signage Initial Wayfinding Observations Route 1: Departures Curb to Gate A3 Recommendation: 1. Reinforcement Locations: Add additional directionals for reinforcement at more consistent placement intervals Observation: 1. Reinforcement Locations: Reinforcement directionals appear very far apart and are difficult to see from a distance Currently not at adequate reassuring intervals 11