Different Alternatives Researched

Locus Labs

Airport Signage

Many solutions were researched and discussed but only four solutions were considered for the evaluation process. This is due to other solutions not answering the problem statement, not worth the time and money to implement them, or failed to work in a system like the Indianapolis International Airport. Each of these alternatives can help the airport in one way or another in solving the problem of wayfinding and communication in a post-COVID airport but only one of them is the optimal solution. The optimal solution will provide an efficient and effective way of solving the problem statement as well as cater to the needs of the airport when considering the weighted criteria.

Redo Signage 

The COVID situation isn’t getting resolved anytime soon, especially with new strand mutations being discovered. The temporary signage that is placed in various spots isn’t accomplishing the goal of informing guests to the degree that is wanted. With more permanent signage it will allow for a more user-friendly experience because the guests will know all the COVID protocols and information. If the guests are more informed, they will create less risk for other guests and employees because they no longer need to use the service desk. Updated and simplified signage would be a lower-cost alternative that would be easy to implement and would provide descriptive wayfinding instructions to guests. Updated digital signage will provide better visual information and more effectively guide the guests to their desired destination.

Mobile Wayfinding Application 

The implementation of a custom mobile wayfinding application would act as a communication platform for the airport. This solution would supplement the airport’s existing signage with a digitized map of the airport with indoor navigation. The application would also allow for custom notifications to be pushed to airport guests, so guests would get notified without even having to open the application if it is installed. This push notification system would allow the airport to reach their guests about changes in COVID policy or alerts about the airport directly. The app would also feature a newsfeed that guests could view to see what’s new with the airport. The newsfeed could be used to inform guests of any changes or emergencies regarding the airport. The newsfeed could also be utilized as a tool for positive public relations. For example, the airport could publish an article on the app’s newsfeed about the various commendations they have received as an airport with large renown. This solution will likely be more expensive than others but provides one of the most effective solutions to address the airport’s wayfinding and communication concerns.

For the navigation portion of the mobile wayfinding application, there are a few options in how the indoor positioning system works. The application could use low-energy Bluetooth beacons (BLE) and leverage the power of geomagnetic fields to provide location data that is 97% accurate. This method of finding the user’s position would not only be accurate within one to three meters but would also ensure that the airport is not reliant on GPS technology. GPS technology is not feasible within a building like the Indianapolis Airport. BLE beacons would be placed throughout the airport and would send out signals to the guests' devices as well as other beacons to provide positioning data. The solution could also use Wi-Fi positioning as its method for navigation. Wi-Fi positioning is a technology that uses wireless access points to triangulate a user’s position based on the device they are using with the application. This would require the user to connected to the airport’s Wi-Fi. One of the huge benefits of using Wi-Fi technology for indoor positioning is that most of the infrastructure is already available because of the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure in the airport. Indoor navigation with Wi-Fi positioning is quite accurate depending on the proximity and power of access points in the airport. It is also possible for the airport to use a hybrid system of these two indoor positioning systems.

LocusLabs:

Multiple companies have already started to implement a wayfinding software and application that can guide the user wherever they need to go. LocusLabs is one company that develops Indoor Wayfinding software to help eliminate contact with people and provide a safer way to get to the destination. LocusLabs has already started working with airlines such as United Airlines about contactless and accessible travel for everyone. This type of software will allow airport and airline employees to mitigate contact with guests in the terminal. Not only does this software work on phones, but it operates on almost any device. These devices include but are not limited to mobile devices, desktops, kiosks, and digital displays (such as help screens in the airport). LocusLabs provides navigation for multiple smaller airports, but because of their use of GPS technology, it is unclear how feasible their wayfinding software would be in an airport like the Indianapolis Airport which has quite a few underground elements which could be challenging for GPS. Compared to the other wayfinding applications proposed, LocusLabs would not be able to be used as a communication platform and would not be able to implement the custom features that the other application provides. The platform would be easy to implement into the airports existing infrastructure and would be less expensive than a custom solution.

Do Nothing:

This solution does not make any improvements to wayfinding in the airport. The COVID-19 signs will continue to clutter the original signage and still cause problems with navigating the airport. This would result in guests relying on the service desk. Doing nothing would save the airport from spending any time or money on a new project. The reason for this solution to be considered is to show the difference between keeping the airport the same as opposed to choosing an alternative solution.