Point-of-Decision Signs and Stair Use in a University Worksite Setting: General versus Specific Messages

Abstract

Purpose.

This study tested the effectiveness of two point-of-decision signs to increase stair use and investigated message content by comparing signs with general and specific messages.

Design.

This study used a quasi-experimental time series design, including a 2-week baseline period: 2 weeks with a general message and 2 weeks with a specific message.

Setting.

The signs were placed in an eight-story university building.

Subjects.

The subjects comprised all adults entering the building. During the study, 2997 observations of stair/elevator choice were made.

Intervention.

A stair-prompt sign with a general message and a sign with a specific message served as the interventions.

Measures.

Observers measured stair/elevator choice, demographics, and traffic volume.

Analysis.

Logistic regression analyses were employed, adjusting for covariates.

Results.

The specific sign intervention showed significantly increased odds of stair use compared to baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46–2.84). The odds of stair use were also significantly greater with the specific sign than the general sign (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.13–2.20).

Conclusion.

Only the specific sign significantly increased stair use. The results indicate that a specific message may be more effective at promoting stair use.