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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/13640.
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TRANSPORTAT ION RESEARCH BOARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 2011 www.TRB.org A I R P O R T C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M ACRP REPORT 52 Research sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration Subscriber Categories Aviation Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside James R. Harding Marshall Elizer, Jr. Jim Alderman Matthew J. Frankel GRESHAM, SMITH AND PARTNERS Nashville, Tennessee Susan T. Chrysler Christopher M. Poe Laura L. Higgins Curtis Beatty LuAnn Theiss TEXAS TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE College Station, Texas Alison Smiley Thomas Smahel HUMAN FACTORS NORTH, INC. Toronto, Ontario James A. Pangburn BIG SKY, INC. Manassas, Virginia Craig Berger SOCIETY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN Washington, DC Tom Esch MINETA SAN JOSÉ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT San Jose, California

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in trans- portation of people and goods and in regional, national, and inter- national commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal respon- sibility for managing and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Coopera- tive Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study spon- sored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agencies and are not being adequately addressed by existing federal research programs. It is modeled after the successful National Coopera- tive Highway Research Program and Transit Cooperative Research Pro- gram. The ACRP undertakes research and other technical activities in a variety of airport subject areas, including design, construction, mainte- nance, operations, safety, security, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. The ACRP provides a forum where airport opera- tors can cooperatively address common operational problems. The ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary partici- pants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport oper- ating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), and the Air Transport Association (ATA) as vital links to the airport community; (2) the TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academies formally initiating the program. The ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research orga- nizations. Each of these participants has different interests and respon- sibilities, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort. Research problem statements for the ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to the TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by iden- tifying the highest priority projects and defining funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel, appointed by the TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including airport pro- fessionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels pre- pare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooper- ative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended end-users of the research: airport operating agencies, service providers, and suppliers. The ACRP produces a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other interested parties, and industry associations may arrange for work- shops, training aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport-industry practitioners. ACRP REPORT 52 Project 07-06 ISSN 1935-9802 ISBN 978-0-309-21346-2 Library of Congress Control Number 2011935617 © 2011 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB or FAA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. NOTICE The project that is the subject of this report was a part of the Airport Cooperative Research Program, conducted by the Transportation Research Board with the approval of the Governing Board of the National Research Council. The members of the technical panel selected to monitor this project and to review this report were chosen for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance. The report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board, the National Research Council, or the program sponsors. The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, the National Research Council, and the sponsors of the Airport Cooperative Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report. Published reports of the AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM are available from: Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 and can be ordered through the Internet at http://www.national-academies.org/trb/bookstore Printed in the United States of America

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. On the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering. The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, on its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine. The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council. The Transportation Research Board is one of six major divisions of the National Research Council. The mission of the Transporta- tion Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation innovation and progress through research and information exchange, conducted within a setting that is objective, interdisciplinary, and multimodal. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 7,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individu- als interested in the development of transportation. www.TRB.org www.national-academies.org

CRP STAFF FOR ACRP REPORT 52 Christopher W. Jenks, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Crawford F. Jencks, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Michael R. Salamone, ACRP Manager Marci A. Greenberger, Senior Program Officer Tiana M. Barnes, Senior Program Assistant Eileen P. Delaney, Director of Publications Maria Sabin Crawford, Assistant Editor ACRP PROJECT 07-06 PANEL Field of Design Angela R. Newland, Broward County (FL) Aviation Department, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Chair) Hugh A. Johnson, Port of Oakland, Oakland, CA Kathleen M. McCauley, Massachusetts Port Authority, East Boston, MA Valquirio S. Mendonca, HNTB Corporation, Boston, MA David P. Roberts, Valancourt International, LLC, Atlanta, GA Kenneth G. Rodgers, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Minneapolis, MN Elisha Novak, FAA Liaison Kevin J. Sylvester, FHWA Liaison Richard A. Cunard, TRB Liaison C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S

ACRP Report 52: Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside provides an up-to-date single resource for airport operators to consult as they review, update, enhance, or develop their airport wayfinding and signing plan. The guidelines focus on four areas of the airport: (1) roadways—both on-airport, and off-airport access roads; (2) parking; (3) curbside and ground transportation; and (4) terminal. In addition, the guidelines discuss developing a wayfinding strategy; the use of technology and visual dis- plays; and color, fonts, and sizes. These guidelines are a handy resource for airport planners, consultants, and those specifically responsible for maintaining an airport wayfinding and signing plan and signage. There has not been a single resource to help airports in their wayfinding and signing strat- egy and plan that includes both roadways and terminals. The industry came together via the professional associations to create guidelines that focused on the terminal, but they were last updated in 2001. The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual of Uniform Traffic Con- trol Devices (MUTCD), while applicable to airports with respect to roadways, doesn’t specifically speak to airports or the unique operating environment. Gresham, Smith and Partners was retained under ACRP Project 07-06 to develop a sin- gle resource that will update the wayfinding and signing guidelines, and address terminal areas, curbside and ground transportation, parking and on-airport roadways, and off- airport access roads. Updates include ADA issues, ensuring compliance with the MUTCD, and the increase in common use technologies. The result of their efforts is ACRP Report 52: Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside. Some elements of the guidelines include: how to develop a wayfinding strategy and an explanation of “why”; discussion of font and legibility issues; and a number of real world examples to assist the reader when applying the concepts to their airport. F O R E W O R D By Marci A. Greenberger Staff Officer Transportation Research Board

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research reported herein was performed under ACRP Project 07-06 by Gresham, Smith and Part- ners (GS&P) in association with Big Sky, Inc., Human Factors North, Inc. (HFN), the Society for Envi- ronmental Graphic Design (SEGD), and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI). James R. Harding, SEGD, Director of Environmental Graphic Design for GS&P, was the Project Direc- tor and Principal Investigator. Contributing authors for this report included the following: • Marshall Elizer, Jr., P.E., PTOE; Jim Alderman, SEGD; and Matthew J. Frankel with GS&P. • Susan T. Chrysler, PhD; Christopher M. Poe, PhD, P.E.; Laura L. Higgins; Curtis Beatty, P.E. and LuAnn Theiss, P.E. with TTI. • Alison Smiley, PhD, CCPE and Thomas Smahel, CCPE with HFN. • James A. Pangburn, P.E, P.S.P with Big Sky. • Craig Berger with SEGD. • Tom Esch, P.E. with Mineta San José International Airport (via SEGD). The authors would also like to acknowledge the tremendous input from the following professionals and organizations whose research, images, and other contributions were instrumental to the successful com- pilation of these guidelines: • Richard Bess—Anode, Inc. • Raymond Bishop—Wilbur Smith Associates. • Joseph Erhart—Apple Designs, Inc. • Peter J. Gargiulo—Wayne County Airport Authority. • David Gibson—Two Twelve Associates, Inc. • Earlyne Johnson—The Port Authority of NY & NJ. • Barry Nation—Jones Worley Design.

1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background 2 1.2 Historical Perspective 3 1.3 Purpose of the Guidelines 3 1.4 Organization of the Guidelines (How to Use) 4 Chapter 2 Signing and Wayfinding Process 4 2.1 Introduction 4 2.2 Analysis 13 2.3 Developing a Wayfinding Strategy 29 Chapter 3 Roadways 29 3.1 Wayfinding Philosophy and Principles 33 3.2 Applicable Federal Standards 35 3.3 Airport Roadway Decision Points 37 3.4 Static Sign Design Elements 45 3.5 Sign Structures and Illumination 47 3.6 Changeable Message Signs 52 3.7 Sign Maintenance 53 Chapter 4 Parking 53 4.1 Considering Parking Users in Design (Human Factors) 54 4.2 Signs and Wayfinding 57 4.3 Sign Categories 69 4.4 Sign Design Elements 72 4.5 Sign Locations, Structures, Materials, and Safety 74 4.6 Sign Maintenance 74 4.7 Accessibility 77 Chapter 5 Curbside and Ground Transportation 77 5.1 Planning for Curbside Signing 77 5.2 Considering Curbside Users in Design (Human Factors) 79 5.3 Signing Areas 83 5.4 Ground Transportation 86 5.5 Sign Design Elements 88 5.6 Sign Locations, Structures, Materials, and Safety 90 5.7 Sign Maintenance 91 5.8 Accessibility 93 Chapter 6 Terminal 93 6.1 Wayfinding Philosophy and Principles 101 6.2 Considering Terminal Users in Design (Human Factors) 105 6.3 Signs and Wayfinding 109 6.4 Sign Categories C O N T E N T S

113 6.5 Sign Design Elements 149 6.6 Sign Locations, Data Bases, Illumination, Materials, and Safety 159 6.7 Sign Maintenance 160 6.8 Accessibility 180 Chapter 7 Technology 180 7.1 Overview 182 7.2 Systems and Visual Displays 195 7.3 Design Elements 195 7.4 Open System Architecture 197 Chapter 8 Code Required Regulatory and Information Signs 197 8.1 Federal Agencies 198 8.2 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) 198 8.3 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 198 8.4 State and Local 199 8.5 Other Code and Regulating Agencies 199 8.6 Regulatory and Informational Signage Required by Federal Regulations 207 Appendix A 212 Appendix B 215 Appendix C 217 Appendix D 219 Appendix E 221 Appendix F 242 References Note: Many of the photographs, figures, and tables in this report have been converted from color to grayscale for printing. The electronic version of the report (posted on the Web at www.trb.org) retains the color versions.

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TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 52: Wayfinding and Signing Guidelines for Airport Terminals and Landside is designed to provide airports with the tools necessary to help passengers find their way in and around the airport.

The guidelines focus on four areas of the airport: (1) roadways—both on-airport, and off-airport access roads; (2) parking; (3) curbside and ground transportation; and (4) terminal.

In addition, the guidelines discuss developing a wayfinding strategy; the use of technology and visual displays; and color, fonts, and sizes.

View the Impact on Practice for this report.

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