Digital Wayfinding FAQs
What is digital wayfinding?
Digital wayfinding uses interactive maps to help people navigate complex indoor spaces like hospitals, airports, shopping centres, and campuses. It guides visitors and staff step by step, improving accessibility, efficiency, and overall experience.
What is indoor wayfinding?
Indoor wayfinding focuses on navigation inside buildings such as hospitals, airports, shopping centres, and offices. It uses indoor maps, points of interest, and routing to help people move through spaces where GPS alone is not effective.
How does wayfinding work?
Wayfinding works by combining accurate map data with routing logic and clear visual design. Users select a destination, and the system calculates the best route using indoor mapping data, floor levels, and accessibility rules, then presents step-by-step directions.
How do people navigate large buildings?
People navigate large buildings using a mix of signage, maps, staff assistance, and increasingly, digital wayfinding tools. Digital solutions reduce confusion by providing clear routes, searchable destinations, and real-time navigation on personal devices or kiosks.
How do shopping centres improve navigation?
Shopping centres improve navigation by offering interactive directories, mobile maps, and digital wayfinding displays. These tools help visitors find shops, amenities, and services quickly, improving the overall visitor experience and encouraging longer dwell times.
How do airports manage passenger navigation?
Airports manage passenger navigation using digital wayfinding to guide passengers through terminals, security, gates, and services. Indoor maps and routing help reduce congestion, improve passenger flow, and support travellers who are unfamiliar with large or complex layouts.
How does wayfinding help hospitals?
Wayfinding helps hospitals by reducing missed appointments, lowering stress for patients and visitors, and decreasing the number of directional queries staff receive. Clear indoor navigation improves patient experience and allows staff to focus on care rather than giving directions.
What data is needed for indoor wayfinding?
Indoor wayfinding uses building floorplans and architectural drawings, and turns them into interactive digital maps. By mapping rooms, points of interest, and pathways, it guides visitors and staff step by step, making even the largest spaces easy to navigate.
What is IMDF?
IMDF, or Indoor Mapping Data Format, is an open standard that describes indoor spaces in a consistent way. It allows mapping platforms like Living Map to interpret rooms, levels, and points of interest accurately for interactive digital maps.
How are CAD drawings converted into indoor maps?
CAD drawings are converted into indoor maps by cleaning, structuring, and georeferencing the data. Architectural elements are transformed into standardised spatial objects, often using formats like IMDF, so they can be used in digital mapping and wayfinding systems.
What are the benefits of digital wayfinding?
Digital wayfinding improves visitor confidence, reduces confusion, supports accessibility, and increases operational efficiency. Organisations benefit from fewer staff interruptions, better visitor flow, and improved satisfaction across complex environments.
How does wayfinding improve accessibility?
Wayfinding improves accessibility by offering step-free routes, clear visual guidance, multi-language support, and assistive features. Digital maps can adapt routes to user needs, helping people with mobility, visual, or cognitive impairments navigate spaces more easily.
Does digital wayfinding reduce staff workload?
Yes. Digital wayfinding reduces the number of directional questions staff receive, freeing them up for higher-value tasks. In environments like shopping centres, hospitals and airports, this can significantly improve operational efficiency and staff experience.
