© National Safe Skies Alliance    -    Authored by InterVISTAS Consulting
Companion Guide
CBP Airport Technical Design Standard

Finding 2: Coordinate Passenger Wayfinding for

Arrivals

Signage is a critical aspect of wayfinding, and there is an airport industry initiative in 2017 to help standardize the language and colors used in airports, specifically in the FIS.  There are, however, many different concepts that mean different things and are potentially difficult to communicate to passengers, such as the multiple definitions of “one-stop” processing.  See the differences between Airport A and Airport B below:

Airport Applicability

- Any volume of passengers - All airport types - All passengers types

References

ATDS (2012) - Section 4.1 which outlines the importance of signage and how best to design them - Section 4.1.1 specifically defines wayfinding in the arrivals area ATDS (2016 - 90% Draft) - Section 2.10.4 defines standard CBP signs for arriving passengers - Section 7.2 recommends wayfinding for MPC
FINDINGS
© National Safe Skies Alliance Authored by InterVISTAS Consulting
Companion Guide
CBP Airport Technical Design Standard

Finding 2: Coordinate

Passenger Wayfinding for

Arrivals

Signage is a critical aspect of wayfinding, and there is an airport industry initiative in 2016 to help standardize the language and colors used in the airports and specifically in the FIS.  There are however many different concepts that mean different things - potentially difficult to communicate to passengers, such as the multiple definitions of “one-stop” processing.
Adopt coordinated common colors, processing categorization, naming schemes, and other standardization between airports. There has been positive consideration and response from industry to standardize the international arrival experience, and signage/wayfinding should be one of the key priorities in these efforts.
Ensure there is intuitive, continuous wayfinding for signage.All signage should consider principles of universality and accessibility to not only meet ADA standards, but consider color- blind travelers; avoid lettered/named paths since many travelers may not be able to read English
Integrate wayfinding with any technology that is implemented. While each self-service solution may be supplied by different vendors or manufacturers; the MPC app, APC kiosk, Global Entry kiosk and potential future app should provide wayfinding instructions that are coordinated and integrated with the physical signage at the airport.
Use dynamic signage that can be updated depending on needs while keeping standard processing categorization.  Depending on the time of day, day of week or other seasonality, passengers may need to be directed to specific areas of the FIS for processing.