Best Practices for Improving Wayfinding and Mobility-Impaired Accessibility in the 3D Pedestrian Environment of Central, Hong Kong's Grade-Separated Footpath System

This thesis proposes best practices for improving wayfinding on Hong Kong's Central grade-separated footpath (GSF) network using: (1) findings from previous literature in sign & map design, cognitive science and mobility-impaired accessibility, and (2) results from prior attempts in standardizing wayfinding in urban areas. The complexity of Central's GSF system, with its combination of underground passageways and elevated footbridges, interior and exterior spaces, various land uses and transit modes, make Central an ideal case study for this process. Given the difficulties of wayfinding and for those with special needs on GSF systems, how could redesigned signs, maps and footpath markings make (A) wayfinding for the general public easier and (B) improve accessibility for the mobility-impaired? Also, such a system will have to account for various languages, physical and mental abilities of pedestrians in addition to the aforementioned challenges. Specifically, this thesis provides a process for improving wayfinding and accessibility using signs, maps and in-floor or in-pavement markings (visual cues). However, this process is limited in its ability to resolve issues A and B, which underscores the need for a systematic way of planning, developing and operating GSF networks in an era where pedestrian environments are getting increasingly complex and legislation mandating equity for the disabled are becoming commonplace. The study also uncovers literature gaps in empirical studies that document the pedestrian perspectives and experiences on GSF networks, the use of GSFs in skyscraper evacuation and combined indoor/outdoor navigation applications on mobile devices.