Innovative way-finding systems are arriving to international airports
Monday, 20 Jun 2011 10:02
Integrating railway stations within or near the airport just adds more signage to the overflow of information and passengers can often find themselves pacing up and down the airport in search for the right way to the train.
Technology suppliers and airports are now starting to innovate with interactive way-finding systems and Munich Airport has recently launched new concept system called InfoGate, which will help passengers get their bearings more quickly and allow them to request individual directions to get where they want to go.
At the InfoGate, the airport visitor connects via videoconference with an information service representative for a real-time dialog on life-sized screens. At the moment six InfoGates are now positioned in the public and non-public areas of the airport. In addition to these devices airport visitors can also use 17 Interactive InfoGates positioned at key crossroads throughout the terminals. Passengers can request "custom-made" directions to a desired gate that will take them past a certain shop or restaurant en route. The passenger then sees the quickest way to their chosen destination displayed on an animated map of the airport building. The system computes the distance, the estimated walking time and the anticipated wait times at passport control security screening.
The new Munich airport info-system is one step closer to the future of interactive way-finding. According to the founder of designworkplan Sander Baumann, the current trend is smart-phone usage for navigation around the airport.
Copenhagen Airport earlier this year has introduced an iPhone app that includes new, innovative augmented reality technology. Copenhagen Airport is the first airport in the world to incorporate augmented reality in its iPhone application, and the technology can be used as a way-finder inside the terminals.
“The next step of interactive way-finding at passenger terminals is providing the passenger information via widely adapted communication devices. Balancing the way-finding signs within the architecture and focus on user-content via modern technologies will kick-start the build of user-database based on preferences, destinations, etc., which then leads to the future of way-finding - Rapid Facial Recognition for Information System,” Sander said.
“RFRIS could be a breakthrough in information systems. Through facial recognition, unique passenger information will be displayed on monitors for their eyes only. This means multiple people can use the same monitor and look at different unique content.”
With over 15 years of experience Sander Baumann has progressed in way-finding strategy and signage design for retail, transportation and cities. "Don't make them think"; is one of the key-elements in creating legible environments in a user-centred design. Sander will be presenting about the future of way-finding in the international airrail EVENTS conference The Future of AirRail – Airport Rail Terminal Integration, taking place in London Sofitel Hotel on 20th October. 2011.
Technology suppliers and airports are now starting to innovate with interactive way-finding systems and Munich Airport has recently launched new concept system called InfoGate, which will help passengers get their bearings more quickly and allow them to request individual directions to get where they want to go. At the InfoGate, the airport visitor connects via videoconference with an information service representative for a real-time dialog on life-sized screens. At the moment six InfoGates are now positioned in the public and non-public areas of the airport. In addition to these devices airport visitors can also use 17 Interactive InfoGates positioned at key crossroads throughout the terminals. Passengers can request "custom-made" directions to a desired gate that will take them past a certain shop or restaurant en route. The passenger then sees the quickest way to their chosen destination displayed on an animated map of the airport building. The system computes the distance, the estimated walking time and the anticipated wait times at passport control security screening.
The new Munich airport info-system is one step closer to the future of interactive way-finding. According to the founder of designworkplan Sander Baumann, the current trend is smart-phone usage for navigation around the airport.
Copenhagen Airport earlier this year has introduced an iPhone app that includes new, innovative augmented reality technology. Copenhagen Airport is the first airport in the world to incorporate augmented reality in its iPhone application, and the technology can be used as a way-finder inside the terminals.
“The next step of interactive way-finding at passenger terminals is providing the passenger information via widely adapted communication devices. Balancing the way-finding signs within the architecture and focus on user-content via modern technologies will kick-start the build of user-database based on preferences, destinations, etc., which then leads to the future of way-finding - Rapid Facial Recognition for Information System,” Sander said.
“RFRIS could be a breakthrough in information systems. Through facial recognition, unique passenger information will be displayed on monitors for their eyes only. This means multiple people can use the same monitor and look at different unique content.”
With over 15 years of experience Sander Baumann has progressed in way-finding strategy and signage design for retail, transportation and cities. "Don't make them think"; is one of the key-elements in creating legible environments in a user-centred design. Sander will be presenting about the future of way-finding in the international airrail EVENTS conference The Future of AirRail – Airport Rail Terminal Integration, taking place in London Sofitel Hotel on 20th October. 2011.
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