Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Kwee-Meier, Sonja Th
• Mertens, Alexander
• Schlick, Christopher M.

Titel

Age-related differences in decision-making for digital escape route signage under strenuous emergency conditions of tilted passenger ships

Ist Teil von

• Applied ergonomics, 2017-03, Vol.59 (Pt A), p.264-273

Ort / Verlag

England: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2017

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This age-differentiated study investigated preferences for new digital, situation-adaptive escape route signage with informative and flashing elements under simulated emergency conditions of tilted passenger ships. The decision-making behaviour of 26 young (20–30 years) and 26 elderly (60–77 years) participants was observed in four conditions varying in applied stressors and in level versus uphill walking at 7° and 14°. In line with previous studies, decisions of young participants were significantly influenced by flashing elements on signs. In contrast, elderly participants based their decisions significantly stronger on integrated information about the sign's updatedness and reported irritation by flashing elements. These preferences were also persistent under increased mental, emotional and physical strain, evaluated by ratings and (psycho-)physiological measures. The findings demonstrate the importance to carefully design digital, situation-adaptive signage for passenger ships in a way that it not only attracts attention but also inspires trust especially for the elderly population. •Age influences preferences for digital escape route signage.•Flashing elements on signs positively influence decisions of young people.•Elderly people often feel irritated and repelled by flashing elements.•Elderly people mostly base decisions on information about the sign's updatedness.•Escape route signage should not only attract attention but also inspire trust.