Utility Evaluation Model for Subway Transfer Guidance Signs Based on Visual Entropy

[Objective] In order to improve the utility of guidance signs at subway transfer stations and address issues such as chaotic signage setting, information overload, and low recognition rates, a visual entropy-based evaluation method for subway transfer guidance signs utility is proposed. [Method] Current problems of subway transfer station guidance signs are analyzed, and the utility of subway transfer guidance signs is defined. By analyzing the visual characteristics of passengers during the transfer process, the mechanistic relationship between passenger visual cognition and guidance signs is analyzed. A passenger visual entropy evaluation model and the utility quantification method based on entropy theory are established. Through the transfer process guidance sign recognition test, the influence of factors such as illumination, color contrast, sign size, sign height, and sign spacing on the utility of guidance signs is studied by AOI (area of interest) method. [Result & Conclusion] The higher the color contrast, the better the effectiveness of the guide signs; all the excessive or insufficient illumination and sign heights, the oversized or undersized sign dimensions and sign spacing will affect the utility of guide signs, and design parameters need to be controlled within the threshold range. The illumination should be controlled within 75~125 lx, sign dimensions should be controlled within the range of 30 cm×40 cm to 40 cm×50 cm, sign heights be controlled within 1.5~2.5 m, and sign spacing be controlled within 15~25 m.