Universal Design Evaluation Applied on Station Sign System Innovation Design

2020-1078 IJOI http://www.ijoi-online.org/ UNIVERSAL DESIGN EVALUATION APPLIED ON STATION SIGN SYSTEM INNOVATION DESIGN Yung-Chin Tsao Professor, The Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University, Taiwan, R.O.C. [email protected] Shang-li Chu The Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan, R.O.C. d10017006@ ms.ttu.edu.tw Ching-Huei Lai Safety Division, Institute of Transportation, Ministry of Transportation and Communica- tions, Taipei City 10548, Taiwan, R.O.C. Shih-Yin Huang The Graduate Institute of Design Science, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan, R.O.C. Abstract Transportation facilities are used by numerous people from a broad range of groups. Therefore, to fulfill the principles of universal design (UD), transportation environments must be designed with maximum ease of use for all people in mind, which will enable sustainable social development to be achieved. This study focused on improving upon the flaws in the sign system for the main passageways in Banqiao Station in New Taipei City, Taiwan. A new sign system was designed for the transfer route from Taiwan Rail- ways to the Mass Rapid Transit system, and a three-dimensional virtual reality scenario was incorporated for a UD evaluation test to reinforce the UD procedure. The flaws in the existing sign system were divided into six groups: (1) missing information; (2) interfer- ence with vision and sight; (3) unintegrated sign design; (4) unintegrated sign information; (5) disturbance from environmental lighting; and (6) unclear directional positioning. The types and locations of the signs were redesigned, and the visual design and information contents of the sign system were integrated systematically, after which the setup planning and design improvement of the sign system was implemented according to the flaws identified by users. According to the test results of the users, the existing sign sys- 360 The International Journal of Organizational Innovation Volume 13 Number 1, July 2020 2020-1078 IJOI http://www.ijoi-online.org/ tem does not fulfill the principles of UD, particularly in terms of its flexibility, safety, and aesthetics. The new sign system satisfies the requirements for UD; in particular, signifi- cant improvements in informativeness and safety were noted. Keywords: Universal Design Evaluation, Sign System, Innovation Design, Transporta- tion Environment design of an area or product. Accessibil- Introduction ity is highly associated with legal requirements, and existing regulations can Universal design (UD) is a human- no longer satisfy the increasingly diverse centered type of product and environ- needs of passengers. ment design that is suitable for all people regardless of age, gender, and diversity In addition, improving upon flaws to the maximum possible extent (Story et that are overlooked in individual trans- al., 1998; Clarkson & Coleman, 2015). portation facilities can be considered as Transportation environments, which are universal design, exceptionally designed used by numerous people from a broad facilities that are inaccessible because of range of population groups, should be inappropriate configurations and func- designed for all people to access with the tions are also found in real transportation greatest ease possible, thereby facilitat- environments. Practically, the holistic ing sustainable social development (Sue UD perspective should not be over- Morgan & Environment, 2017). UD was looked; it involves holistically analyzing the design elements of a facility and the first proposed by Ronald L. Mace, the user behaviors involved in various trans- late director of the Center for Accessible portation systems. Future transportation Housing (now the Center for Universal environment designs must fulfill increas- Design) at North Carolina State Univer- ingly diverse usage and interaction be- sity (Story et al., 1998; John Clarkson & haviors; therefore, governments must Coleman, 2015). UD, which is promoted design such environments to fulfill the worldwide today, refers to a type of needs of all passengers with various ca- product and environmental design that is pabilities and requirements. suitable for all people regardless of gender, age, and capabilities to the maxi- The goal of this study was to dem- mum extent possible. onstrate the feasibility of UD through a presentation of examples in sign system Studies and practices of UD have design to ensure the gradual promotion been conducted to maximize the acces- and implementation of UD in future sibility of transportation systems for us- transportation environments. The main ers, not just for gender, aging, impair- objectives of this study were as follows: ment, and wheelchair users, but also for (1) To clarify the problems and needs in different kinds of pedestrians. Accessi- the use of an existing sign system and bility is improved through additional ef- propose corresponding improvement forts to compensate for flaws in the basic plans. (2) To evaluate whether the exist- 361 The International Journal of Organizational Innovation Volume 13 Number 1, July 2020 2020-1078 IJOI http://www.ijoi-online.org/ ing sign system and a newly planned one colors, shapes, sizes, and means of in- satisfy UD principles. (3) To compare formation provision. the existing and new sign systems in terms of their differences and effective- (2) Analyzing the problems: The ness. (4) To provide suggestions and problems collected in the previous step guidelines for improving future sign sys- were analyzed and the installation loca- tem design. tions, methods, and facilities for the signs were specified. The information to Scope of the Research be embedded in the signs was clarified and the information to be provided was Banqiao Station, located in New rigorously selected in consideration of Taipei City, Taiwan, is a station shared the signs’ limitations. The configuration by the Taiwan Railways Administration of the information content was planned, (TRA), High Speed Rail (HSR), and thereby providing a reference for future Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems and plans to further improve the sign system features bus and transfer stations at its and other related facilities. east and west exits. As a major transportation hub, it must integrate various fa- (3) Improving the design of the sign cilities such as ticketing systems for dif- system: The basic design of a sign com- ferent types of vehicles, elevators and prises its size and the configuration of its escalators, and signs. Finding paths to structure and information content. On the different lines is particularly difficult the basis of the approximate configura- because of the long distances between tions of the signs, this study reviewed them; therefore, the station serves as a and modified the facilities, installation suitable site for observing the effective- locations and methods, information con- ness of UD improvement in the sign sys- tent, and configurations of the signs as tem. Accordingly, this study focused on necessary from the perspective of UD, improving the sign system for the main particularly regarding their accessibility transfer lines in Banqiao Station. This and sharing. Subsequently, this study study focused on the transfer route to the ensured that the signs’ UD, installation MRT line in Banqiao Station. locations, information contents, and dis- play methods could fulfill the needs of Research Procedure as many users as possible. When necessary, special signs were implemented for This study consisted of four steps. special groups in the sign system design. (1) Investigating the problems and (4) Running a 3D virtual reality needs: The information content required (VR) simulation test: This study used in the sign system and other relevant fa- VR technology to simulate a real trans- cilities were clarified according to their portation environment and ran a com- installation purposes. In addition, the prehensive UD evaluation on the exist- path conditions of the signs’ preset loca- ing and new sign systems to confirm tions and surrounding areas were exam- whether the new one met the expecta- ined, as were their installation statuses, tions of users and the improved design 362 The International Journal of Organizational Innovation Volume 13 Number 1, July 2020 2020-1078 IJOI http://www.ijoi-online.org/ Figure 1. The research area of this study in Banqiao Station. had been effective. The goal of this that spatial orientation perception is the study was to provide examples of design most critical factor in spatial concept planning for systematic sign systems. building (Arthur & Passini, 1992). As technology has evolved over time, VR Wayfinding has been employed in research on wayfinding since 1993 (Cruz-Neira et al., Wayfinding refers to an individ- 1993). Fewings proposed eight effective ual’s observation and understanding of spatial concepts to assist in wayfinding an urban environment, and it explains and terminal design (Fewings, 2001): (1) the general intellectual performance of use a visual indicator system to maintain people under external influences when the use of space; (2) use any possible finding paths. Perceptual memories environmental and internal configura- combine an individual’s past experience tions; (3) place signs at decision points; with the description and guidance con- (4) design signs for users of different age veyed in the instructions encountered groups; (5) establish signs that are easy concurrently (Lynch, 1960). As the types to read, direct, and prominent at

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