Study on Landmark Design of Wayfinding Map in Taipei Main Station

Abstract

Taipei Main Station is the largest train station in Taiwan, putting it into the global top 25 of its kind. Improving wayfinding efficiency in the public space has become an ever more important task. For this study we optimized a 2.5D wayfinding map of the Taipei Rail Station. We analyzed the wayfinding behavior of travelers using the existing, conventional public map. Applying the “think-aloud” method we then recorded the probands’ pathfinding process. The research found out that probands planning their cross-floor route mostly chose indoor landmarks to describe their way. When we compared these empirical data with the existing map, we found out that many landmark categories, their amount and even the actual visibility thereof did not correspond with the de facto situation. In adopting a true way-searcher’s point of view, this research sets new design standards for future map layouts of the Taipei Rail Station’s interior environment and indoor landmarks.