Evaluating the Usability of Portable Evacuation Signage in a Hospital Simulation Setting

Emergency evacuations in complex settings present unique challenges to users with limited spatial familiarity and signage. Research on dynamic signage and wayfinding under stress shows that supportive cues can reduce cognitive load and improve decision quality. This study evaluates whether portable grab-and-go paper maps or QR-code digital maps can complement static signage to improve evacuation efficiency. A mixed-methods design included a cognitive walkthrough and usability testing ( N = 16) in a clinical simulation center. Naïve participants completed independent simulated evacuation trials with recorded evacuation times, errors, and usability. Grab-and-go maps had the highest usability and significantly reduced evacuation time compared to QR-code maps ( p < .01) and static signage ( p < .05). Qualitative feedback indicated that static signage prompted reliance on environmental cues under uncertainty, while portable maps supported confident decision making. Findings suggest that portable paper maps offer a low-cost complementary strategy for improved evacuation performance in complex environments.