title: Age-related differences in decision-making for digital escape route signage under strenuous emergency conditions of tilted passenger ships.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: s.meier@iaw.rwth-aachen.de.
authors.forename: Sonja Th
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kwee-Meier
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: a.mertens@iaw.rwth-aachen.de.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany. Electronic address: c.schlick@iaw.rwth-aachen.de.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schlick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D004581:Electronics; D004630:Emergencies; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008123:Location Directories and Signs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012767:Ships; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D035502:Trust; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Digital escape route signage; Elderly; Ship evacuation