Effects of pedestrians’ visual search effectiveness and behavioral characteristics on the wayfinding performance at underground rail interchange stations: A field test study

• Wayfinding performance is influenced by sign design and individual differences at underground space. • Senior females are identified as the vulnerable group in terms of wayfinding. • Males exhibit better visual search efficiency compared to females. • Reduce wall- guide signs at underground rail interchange stations. This study explored the impact of wayfinding signs and individual differences on wayfinding performance in interchange spaces, particularly within underground rail interchange stations. Previous research has primarily focused on either the visual effects of signs or wayfinding outcomes, with limited consideration of their interactions. Therefore, this study used Ranjiaba station, Chongqing Rail Transit, as a case study, classifying wayfinding tasks into four categories. On-site wayfinding eye-tracking experiments analyzed and discussed sign perception characteristics, fixation behaviors, and wayfinding manifestations among different pedestrian groups. The K-means clustering algorithm was employed for graded evaluation of wayfinding performance. The findings revealed three key points. First, visual search behaviors differed between demographic groups. Males outperformed females in identifying the quantity and content of guide signs, with an effective visual identification rate (EVIR) and an effective fixation duration rate (EFDR) of 73.1% and 63.1%, respectively. Further, middle-aged participants had the highest EVIR and EFDR, whereas seniors—who often spend more time on irrelevant guide signs—had the lowest rates. The type and amount of information on signs significantly affected visual search effectiveness. Second, using direction strategies and selecting shortest paths can improve wayfinding efficiency. Third, senior group accounted for 53.8% of the participants demonstrating the lowest wayfinding performance, with senior females representing a vulnerable subgroup. This study offers recommendations for enhancing wayfinding performance through sign design and pedestrian perspectives, providing theoretical insights to improve wayfinding efficiency in rail interchange stations.