Assessing sign occlusion in buildings using discrete event simulation

Correct sign placement in large buildings such as airports, railway stations or large academic buildings will have a significant impact on the usability of the building as well as having a beneficial impact on the way-finding characteristics of the pedestrian in these environments. This paper presents a discrete event simulation model that evaluates the effect of placement on the sign occlusion in architectural spaces. The simulation model allows the designers to identify optimum location for signs in a space to maximize visibility and minimize occlusion. The model takes into account the geometric configuration of the space, the occupant/pedestrian travel flow patterns, and the location of obstructions as well as the legibility distance. An analytical tool was developed where the movement and location of occupants'/pedestrians' legibility zones and obstructions are simulated at any point in time. The model also accounts for variables like the location of obstructions, sign design, and the primary and secondary travel paths of occupants/pedestrians. The occlusion of wall and ceiling-mounted signs by obstructions is estimated using two measures. The first measure is the probability of a sign being occluded under certain space design and geometric conditions. The second measure estimates the likelihood of an occupant/pedestrian missing the sign based on the minimum time required for that occupant/pedestrian to detect, recognize and read the sign.