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part one

Understanding the critical role that airports will play years from now and the sociocultural and technological shifts affecting airports today, experiential graphic design firm Entro has begun exploring the potential impacts of these developments in relation to wayfinding and branded environments.

The company facilitated a series of group sessions with internal thought leaders and culled their experience working with innovative airports such as Changi Airport, Singapore; Chhatrapati Shivaji International, India; and Toronto Pearson, Calgary and Vancouver international airports in Canada.

Entro identified three main drivers of change — the shift by airports toward the greater adoption of the principles of hospitality; the continued focus on efficiency; and a new focus on personalization as part of the passenger experience.

In response to these drivers of change, Entro has proposed wayfinding design strategies around technology, the passenger journey, and airports as destinations. In this two-part series, PTW will reveal Entro’s thoughts, beginning with strategies around technology.

Technology – what design problems will need to be solved?
Modern society has witnessed how rapidly advancements in technology occur, and the universality often encoded in technological change. Remembering that there will always be individuals who opt out of technology-related services and that their wayfinding experience must also be taken into account, here are some of the technological advances that are believed to present opportunities for airports.

Entro predicts that in the future, universal airport applications will provide a common experience to users no matter where they are in the world. A good example already in existence is the Uber app, which provides users with the same experience worldwide, regardless of location. This includes upfront travel costs and ETAs, an easily accessible car menu (UberX, UberPool), and personalized choices based on habit.

Currently, geolocation services like Google Maps capture exterior spaces, however, the technology is quickly being adapted to public interiors. In an airport environment, this technology will become a universal tool that provides mobile users with contextual or directional information in a familiar format. Given this context, universality presents a challenge for airports: specifically, how can their individual character be retained?

Another anticipated change is biometric scanning. While used in a limited way today, in the future it might become commonplace for airport security. This is likely to affect the interior structure or layout of airports, the expediency of security processes, and ultimately the flow of a user’s journey.

Furthermore, there will undoubtedly be evolutions in industrial design that will have an impact on signage and display materials and technology. These advancements may encompass everything from new lighting products; alternative methods of applying graphics; refinements to base materials such as aluminum, acrylic, or stainless steel; to changes in digital technology, for example screens that are thinner, smaller and faster. Any significant change is likely to influence signage design decisions.

Though the technology may change, the fundamental principles of any signage and wayfinding program will not. For a signage program to be successful, all signs in the program need to be part of a holistic system that provides the right information at the right time.
Strategy: applications of technology for wayfinding
Entro considered several strategies to address these changes. The following are by no means exhaustive, but represent some very practical and effective approaches that can be considered in the preliminary stages of airport design. These considerations and strategies can empower a partnership between owners, architects and consultants in the planning and development of airport spaces.

Leveraging digital kiosks – Digital airport kiosks could be leveraged to do more from a wayfinding perspective. Using geolocation technology, combined with customized or personalized information, kiosks could become wayfinding elements in and of themselves. For example, kiosks could provide relevant airport directional information specific to an individual’s flight when that person checks in. As physical structures within an airport space, kiosks could also become landmarks that cause passengers to pause for a moment, by referencing local culture, or creatively supporting an airport’s brand.

Connectivity between devices – With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) it’s possible that this type of technology could be encoded into wayfinding signage. Whether signage components are static or digital, large or small, technology that allows devices to recognize one another could prove advantageous where it supports the program as a whole.

For example, a haptic notification – which relies on touch or vibrations — might inform a visually impaired passenger of the correct path as they pass by a directional sign with a beacon installed. Alternatively, this technology could provide customized audio to a passenger’s personal device when they reach a certain area of the airport, minimizing public messages in the terminal.

Preserving traditional wayfinding – Static signage in the airport environment will remain a key component of wayfinding. These types of signs will continue to be opportunities to highlight what makes a particular airport unique and to act as airport brand touchpoints. As physical reinforcements, they are also essential for the utility and function of the space since they apply to all types of users. When applied correctly, they can contribute to a positive user experience and brand impression.

Customizing information in real time – Utilizing technology to provide passengers with customized real-time information will contribute to a more personalized travel experience. Customization could take the form of flight tracking information, destination weather conditions, secondary language messaging based on inbound and outbound flights, or engaging content relative to a passenger’s current or intended destination — with contextual content aligned with current flight data.
Using large-scale screens for maximum visibility and placing them in appropriate, captivating locations, this customized information could offer peace of mind to passengers and reduce travel anxiety. At Gerald R Ford International Airport, Michigan, this strategy was applied to two key areas – at the primary security line and adjacent to the airport food and beverage area. In both instances, passengers are reassured of travel times and entertained by variable content.

While advances in technology will be common between airports of the future, seamless passenger journeys and enjoyable, lasting experiences will set leading airports apart.

In the second part of this two-part series, Entro will examine the changes to the sequence of events for passenger travel as part of the evolution of airports. Further to this, it will explore the shift from airports as simply departure or arrival points to true destinations and multi-modal transit hubs.

source : https://tinyurl.com/y85pdvky

Are you looking for a place to work, a nice cappuccino perhaps or the location of your gate? Finding your way becomes child’s play with the Schiphol map. Now available through: KLM app, Facebook Messenger, We Chat and Twitter. https://airportmaps.klm.com

Peerless-AV Video Wall in Airport Application

Anyone on a time crunch when traveling can relate to that feeling of panic that sets in when you realize you don’t know where you are going. With little time to waste, especially in airports, there is nothing more frustrating than getting lost in a sea of people and luggage.

Once relying on static signs, customer service booths, or following the crowd, customers now have the opportunity to navigate through airports like never before. Airports are renovating with more modern designs, higher ceilings, and most importantly, with digital signage.

Static to Digital Signage

While static signage may always be part of the airport landscape when it comes to wayfinding, digital signage offers opportunities that static simply cannot. Printed maps and static signage can be helpful in times of power outages or electronic failures, however content can easily become outdated or not offer enough detailed information to help travelers find their way.

Even if no other digital signage is present, almost every airport has some form of digital signage through its Flight Information Display System (FIDS). This system shares flight information for passengers to offer real-time updates on arrivals and departures, and is typically displayed on TV screens or computer system controlled mechanical boards.

Beyond FIDS, digital signage is often strategically placed throughout airports to help passengers navigate as well as encourage on-site purchasing decisions by displaying nearby stores and restaurants.

There are variations in the interactive nature of digital signage throughout airports, as well. For instance, dynamic digital signage can offer passengers general directions or identify major points of destination. With digital signage, airports are able to readily change information, but most often do not provide personalized routes that would be most helpful. Some airports, however, employ interactive displays, which can provide step-by-step instructions from the passenger’s starting point to their destination and in some cases access the information on a smartphone to take that information with them. The extent of the wayfinding is typically determined by the complexity of the airport’s landscape.

Overall, both interactive and non-interactive digital signage is designed to improve the passenger experience by providing up-to-date and accurate information.

Enhance the Passenger Experience

During heavy travel periods, there are an increased number of people in airports, contributing to more opportunities for passengers to get lost and frustrated. Non-frequent fliers, like those visiting family or the college spring-breakers, are not going to be as familiar with an airport layout as frequent business travelers and will have a more difficult time finding their way.

Interactive digital signage can help alleviate some of this struggle by providing route options. For example, to accommodate the more than 45 million passengers annually, San Francisco International Airport installed interactive touchscreens to provide passengers with search options to find the best route to their desired destination. As part of a way-finding search, passengers are able to include various categories like airline locations, dining, shopping, ground transportation, and things to do. Passengers are provided different options, along with the time it takes to navigate each suggested route.

Another benefit to airports using digital displays is the opportunity to change display information in real-time. For instance, if there is construction blocking traffic in one corridor of the airport, directions can be displayed to help reroute passengers. Further, digital signage can help facilitate passengers during emergencies – one of the most important features of digital signage. Whether it’s a fire, or a serious evacuation situation, airport security can utilize digital signage to direct passengers on what to do, where to go, and where to find the nearest exit.

Better for Business

Digital signage for wayfinding is not only of help to passengers, but it is also a benefit for the airport’s business, as well as the businesses within the facility. Airport employees are no longer a primary resource for providing directions; passengers can turn to interactive displays for accurate mapping – allowing for employees to maximize their time by focusing on their assigned responsibilities. Wayfinding tools can also relieve onsite security officers from providing directions, ensuring their primary focus remains on keeping everyone safe.

Onsite businesses also benefit highly from digital signage for wayfinding. The displays can direct customers to stores and restaurants within the airport, share product and promotional information, and provide coupons. Interactive displays offer a wide range of opportunity for businesses – making table wait times at restaurants, menu options, reservations, and much more readily available. Digital signage also reduces any costs needed to update, print, or replace static signage.

Evolution of the Industry

Digital signage is transforming the airport experience in part by alleviating the usual overwhelming stress of navigating such immense spaces. From static to dynamic to interactive – wayfinding within the airport industry is continually changing. As passengers’ needs change and evolve, so do wayfinding solutions.

source : http://tinyurl.com/htu3lqt