Wayfinding Infrastructure, mapping and routing system at Lancaster University

The university approved a wayfinding strategy in 2016 which clearly made the point that wayfinding is not just about physical signage but requires the integration of digital information sources, and needs to recognise that digital devices, wearable technology and ubiquitous Wi-Fi access are all part of the world that we navigate and interact with. In mid 2016 Capital Planning Group approved a project to create an appropriate infrastructure and put the relevant tools into place to deliver digital wayfinding. Current technology such as google maps or our current iLancaster navigation maps only use GPS to approximate a user’s location. Feedback suggest that current mapping and positioning are not meeting the needs of our users and do not align to the university wayfinding strategy. In addition, many growing technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and iBeacons rely on being able to accurately locate a device or user position within 3D space and be able to overlay this onto structural building information, which we are currently unable to do. We also require the ability to provide routes for disabled students, deal with campus upgrades and route closures, provide better options for assessing room occupancy and people flow and deliver new systems that will require to hook into positional information.

The project objectives are: To select an appropriate positioning technology that fits our needs We are already making use of GPS technology in our current systems, and there are a number of different candidates that would deliver accurate positioning, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. iBeacon technology is being used in rooms for projects such as attendance monitoring, and Campus eScreens. Magnetic Flux technology is being used with the accelerometers in peoples devices to provide positioning information. It is envisaged based on early investigation that the most promising approach is to use our existing wireless infrastructure to provide positioning data, as we have already made a large investment in this technology. However, the project will need to determine the correct technological approach that is scalable and represents best value.

To deliver the selected technology so that a user or device can be positioned to an acceptable accuracy The technology selected must be able to position a user with an acceptable accuracy such that navigation to a specific library shelf or other location is achievable.

To create a mapping system that covers all campus spaces and can use the positioning information to show a user device within the map Supporting the wider wayfinding project the system should allow for a mapping system that represents the internals of the LU Estate derived from building plans. This should then be used to show the user device within this space.

To integrate to campus floor plans and to the facilities management system The system should include the abilit...

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