Assessment of Push/Pull Door Signs: A Laboratory and Field Study

Abstract

We assessed 11 versions of push/pull door signs for their utility using six different measures. Three measures of reaction time---identification, conspicuity present, and conspicuity absent---were performed in a laboratory with 60 subjects, who also ranked the 11 signs in terms of preference and meaningfulness. We conducted a field test by observing the compliance of 1100 individuals to the push and pull signs. Results showed that different versions of the signs were better suited for different tasks. In general, a mixed-modality (words plus symbols) sign most effectively communicated that a push or pull action was required of the user. In addition, a positive correlation (rs = 0.83) occurred between the subjectively ranked sign meaningfulness and compliance rate in the field. Results are discussed in terms of the applicability of the results, the need to include mixed-modality signs in future research, the task-dependent determination of sign effectiveness, the importance of conducting both laboratory and field tests when doing this type of research, and the validity of using subjective rankings to assess signs.