Escape route lighting: Comparison of human performance with traditional lighting and wayfinding systems

Abstract

Emergency systems consisting of low-mounted luminous guidance and signage are being developed for use on escape routes in buildings to provide an emergency wayfinding system at times of power failure. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has investigated movement of 48 adult subjects under three wayfinding systems, based on a track of miniature tungsten filament lamps, electroluminescent lamps and photoluminescent markings, and under illumination provided by newly installed emergency luminaires mounted at ceiling level. Findings for speed of movement, subjects' opinions, and recall of obstacles and signs are presented. This study has shown that the performance of users of wayfinding systems can be as good as or better than those of the traditional illumination approach.

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