Spatial Forms and Signage in Wayfinding Decision Points for Hospital Outpatient Services

This study primarily researches the influence of wayfinding decision point spatial forms and signage on wayfinding behaviors in hospital outpatient areas, using spatial syntax analysis to perform axial mapping analysis and isovist analysis. We then perform a wayfinding experiment involving 24 experimental subjects, combining visual records and the records of behavior to perform analysis and categorization for wayfinding, visual content and behavior-producing decision point space forms. Finally, we compile the results of the experiment to investigate the effect of decision point spatial configuration, signage, and other factors on wayfinding behaviors. The primary results of our research include the following three points: (1) the most probable behavior produced in wayfinding was the stop behavior; visual content relied primarily upon direction signage; (2) wayfinding decision point node configurations that most often produced wayfinding behaviors were the closed form, the open L form, and the open form; (3) in terms of outpatient space wayfinding design, direction signage in closed forms and open L forms had the greatest effect on wayfinding.