For over a century, subway systems have been developed underground in order to solve the problem of congestion and crowding in cities. Since their development, subway systems have proved to be one of the major forms of transportation in major cities. ...
For over a century, subway systems have been developed underground in order to solve the problem of congestion and crowding in cities. Since their development, subway systems have proved to be one of the major forms of transportation in major cities. However, subway systems are not without their faults as disastrous accidents relating to closed underground spaces have occurred in subway systems around the globe. One example is the Daegu subway fire of 2003. Despite such accidents occurring, there is still an increase in accidents regardless of safety management measures that have been put in place to prevent them. In addition, subway systems are becoming more and more complicated due expanding connections and increasing the size of stations, which causes a great of confusion for passengers. Such expansions are convenient for urban development, but it is important to keep in mind the drawbacks of subway systems operate in environmentally vulnerable conditions that increase accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to study the disaster notification sign system that helps prepare subway passengers with the knowledge and information to act quickly and safely in dangerous situations.
In addressing this matter, it is necessary to study the user-centered notification system design with the applied incline design principle that a notification system should be able to present easily comprehendible information. Therefore, the application of the inclusive design principle in the subway, which has an unspecified number of users, will be an indispensable measure in disaster notification.
In accordance with the succession of subway accidents, the purpose of this study is to design an efficient and systematic disaster notification system after identifying the current problems or lack of visual elements of the Daegu Metropolitan Subway System.
This research study was carried out by gaining an understanding of the concept of safety and the subway sign system, and by examining the theory of the inclusive design. In doing so, conclusions were drawn by observing the results of a comparative analysis of domestic and foreign subway systems and their safety notification procedures. Additionally, four elements of typography, pictogram, color, and layout were used as visual elements of the disaster notification system which included the four design evaluation factors of unity, continuity, simplicity, and legibility. These four design evaluation factors were integrated and grouped, and the four evaluation items were reclassified. For analysis of domestic and foreign cases of disaster notification systems, we analyzed the case of visual elements in Munich, England, Fukuoka, Nanakuma, Seoul, and Daegu. After conducting a comprehensive analysis of the subway history of Daegu, problems and improvement plans are suggested. Based on the results of the comprehensive analysis based on reclassified inclusive design assessment factors for disaster notification systems, we drew three conclusions for improving the Daegu subway disaster notification system.
First, since the color used as a visual element for the attention factor is recognized faster than the depiction of writings or characters, it is applied to the evacuation guidance for high visibility. Fluorescent or LED signs are also effective means of evacuation guidance in case of emergency. Second, the uniformity and simplicity of the facilities make it possible for passengers to see safety signs quickly and easily through repeated exposure. This serve as a form of pre-notification for passengers that can be used in the case of an emergency. Third, it is necessary to set the minimum area ratio of the safety equipment so as to be able to be quickly seen from any distance range. This would easily draw the attention of passengers to safety equipment in the case of an emergency, without confusion. In conclusion, the disaster notification sign system of the subway is an important safety necessity for all users, to include all types of passengers (regular adults, disabled persons, foreign individuals, etc.).
Therefore, in the event of a disaster, continuous management and a systematic disaster management system should be constantly improved in order to maximize efficiency and safety in case of an emergency. These efforts will contribute to the improvement of subway safety and the prevention of subway accidents through the disaster notification sign system of the Deagu Metropolitan Subway, which is applied to the inclusive design.
In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of underground safety and the inclusive design for analysis of the disaster notification system of the Daegu Metropolitan Subway Lines 1 and 2, analyzed the problems and suggested systematic improvements of the sign system, and established suggestions for effective information delivery methods.
Based on this research, we will analyze the cognitive approach of information transmission and develop a disaster information system for each function so that users can quickly find the location of safety facilities and equipment in emergency situations. Additionally, we seek to find an effective method for analyzing the psychology of recognition and recognition response, in addition to color, pictogram, layout, and typography.