Integrating technological, cognitive and semantic dimensions in exit sign systems: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

 Corresponding author: Pajri Ramadhan Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Integrating technological, cognitive and semantic dimensions in exit sign systems: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis Pajri Ramadhan *, Heru Prastawa and Novie Susanto Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 Publication history: Received on 02 Setember 2025; revised on 08 October 2025; accepted on 11 October 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.28.1.3476 Abstract Exit signs are fundamental components of modern safety systems, guiding occupants to safety during emergencies. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) integrated with bibliometric analysis to examine the evolution of sign system research, emphasizing technological innovation, cognitive interpretation, and semantic design. Using data retrieved from the Scopus database and following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 110 publications were initially identified, with 13 selected for detailed synthesis. The findings reveal that the research focus has shifted from traditional, static signage to adaptive, intelligent, and user-centered systems supported by IoT, AI, and real-time data algorithms. Bibliometric results highlight increasing interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering, psychology, and design fields. The review also underscores the significance of cognitive and behavioral factors, showing how stress, perception, and cognitive load influence evacuation efficiency. Meanwhile, semantic interpretation remains underexplored, suggesting the need for culturally universal sign systems. Future research should integrate smart technologies, cognitive adaptability, and cross-cultural semantics to create responsive, human-centered safety communication systems that can dynamically adapt to real-world emergencies. Keywords: Exit Signs; Sign Systems; Cognitive Design; Semantics; Bibliometric Analysis; Systematic Literature Review; Emergency Evacuation 1. Introduction Exit signs constitute one of the most essential components of safety and evacuation systems in modern infrastructure. They are designed to provide clear visual guidance that enables building occupants to identify and follow evacuation routes efficiently during emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, and other life-threatening events [1]. The primary function of exit signage is to assist individuals in safely navigating towards designated escape routes and assembly points, thereby reducing panic, confusion, and potential injury during crisis situations. In large and complex structures such as shopping malls, hospitals, transport hubs, and high-rise buildings, the importance of reliable exit signage becomes even more pronounced due to the intricate spatial layouts and the diversity of users who may not be familiar with the environment [2]. Over the years, the design and functionality of exit signs have evolved alongside technological and architectural advancements. Traditional static signs typically composed of fixed pictograms and text are increasingly being complemented or replaced by intelligent and adaptive systems capable of responding dynamically to environmental changes. For instance, the integration of digital technologies such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) has enabled exit signs to deliver real-time guidance that can adapt to hazards like smoke propagation or blocked pathways [3][4]. These innovations mark a paradigm shift in safety communication, moving from passive indicators to context-sensitive evacuation tools that actively contribute to human decision-making during emergencies. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 820 However, despite technological progress, the effectiveness of exit signage remains influenced by multiple interrelated factors. Visual attributes such as luminance, colour contrast, symbol design, and placement significantly affect sign recognition and comprehension, especially under low-visibility or stressful conditions [5]. Additionally, human factors including cognitive load, cultural background, and psychological state play a critical role in determining how individuals interpret and respond to exit cues [6]. For instance, people under stress may exhibit tunnel vision, selective attention, or biased perception, all of which can diminish the intended clarity of safety signage. This highlights the necessity for an integrated design approach that considers ergonomic, psychological, and cultural dimensions in addition to technological functionality [7]. While previous studies have explored specific aspects of exit signage anging from readability and visibility to technological enhancement there remains a lack of comprehensive synthesis that bridges the technical, cognitive, and socio-cultural perspectives. Current research is often fragmented, focusing narrowly on single factors without examining how they collectively influence evacuation effectiveness and user behaviour. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that not only consolidates existing findings but also maps research trends, collaborations, and emerging technologies shaping the domain of exit signage design. This study addresses that gap by conducting an extensive SLR on the design and effectiveness of exit signs, integrating insights from ergonomics, semiotics, cognitive psychology, and safety engineering. To strengthen the conceptual grounding of this study, the theoretical foundation integrates perspectives from semiotics, cognitive psychology, and human factors engineering to explain how exit sign design influences perception, cognition, and behaviour during emergencies. According to Eco [8], signs act as carriers of meaning whose interpretation depends on the interaction between symbol, context, and user cognition. Within the context of safety design, exit signs function as semiotic artefacts that communicate critical evacuation information through visual and symbolic cues. Norman [9] further highlights that human cognition determines how individuals perceive and interpret design elements such as colour, contrast, and typography, while Sanders and McCormick [10] emphasise the need to account for perceptual limits and information load in high-stress conditions. When users interpret exit signage under duress, factors such as stress, familiarity, and cultural context can distort information processing [5][6]. From a behavioural perspective, evacuation decision-making is influenced not only by the visual clarity of signage but also by environmental feedback and contextual cues. Helbing et al. [11] demonstrated that collective crowd movement during emergencies follows cognitive heuristics shaped by factors such as signage, lighting, and spatial configuration. Consequently, the effectiveness of exit signs extends beyond visual design considerations to encompass behavioural outcomes, including evacuation speed, decision accuracy, and overall safety performance [2][7]. Building on these theoretical foundations, this study proposes a conceptual framework (Figure 1) that delineates the causal pathway from Exit Sign Design (visual, symbolic, and digital attributes) through Cognitive Interpretation (perception, comprehension, and cultural context), which subsequently influences Behavioural Response (decision-making, route selection, and evacuation time), ultimately determining Evacuation Effectiveness (speed, accuracy, and safety). Figure 1 Conceptual Framework of Exit Sign Design, Cognition, and Evacuation Effectiveness (Author, 2024) As illustrated in Figure 1, this conceptual framework integrates semiotic, cognitive, and behavioural perspectives to explain how exit sign design influences human interpretation and evacuation performance. It provides the theoretical foundation for this study and serves as the guiding structure for the bibliometric and systematic analyses presented in the subsequent section. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 821 2. Research Methodology A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was employed to comprehensively identify, evaluate, and synthesize existing studies relevant to sign systems and cognitive interpretation. The SLR method provides a structured and transparent approach to exploring prior research, ensuring that the process is systematic, reproducible, and minimizes bias in article selection [12]. A literature review serves as a critical tool to understand what has already been established about a given topic or phenomenon, to summarize the evolution of theories and methodologies, and to identify knowledge gaps that remain unexplored. In this research, the SLR focuses on integrating insights from semiotics, cognitive psychology, and ergonomics, highlighting the interdisciplinary relationship between design, cognition, and human behavior [13]. The review process was structured following the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and replicability [14][15]. The bibliographic data were obtained from the Scopus database, chosen for its comprehensive and multidisciplinary coverage of peer-reviewed research. The following search string was applied: “Sign System” AND “Cognitive” The initial search yielded 110 documents. Records were screened to ensure relevance and filtered based on several criteria, including language (English only), publication type (journal articles), and thematic alignment. Exclusion criteria included conference proceedings, review papers, and articles outside the topic area. After the screening and eligibility assessment, 39 fulltext articles were reviewed, and 13 studies were included in the final synthesis. The stages of identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion are summarized in the PRISMA flow diagram presented in Figure 11. Figure 2 PRISMA Flow Diagram of the Systematic Literature Review Process (Author, 2024) After completing the identification, screening, and eligibility stages illustrated in Figure 2, a total of 13 relevant articles were retained for in-depth bibliometric and thematic analysis. These studies represent diverse theoretical and empirical perspectives related to sign systems and cognitive research. The next stage of the review involved a comprehensive examination of the selected articles to evaluate their contributions, research contexts, and methodological orientations. This detailed literature synthesis aimed to identify key research trends and highlight existing knowledge gaps that inform the direction of the bibliometric and thematic discussions presented in the following sections. Such a systematic approach ensures that the subsequent analysis is grounded in verified, high-quality literature, reflecting the intellectual structure of semiotic–cognitive studies [16][17][18]. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 822 2.1. Data Source and Strategy This study adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to collect and analyze relevant publications concerning sign systems, cognitive factors, and semantic interpretation in exit signage research. The bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus database, which provides extensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature across engineering, design, psychology, and safety science. The search strategy followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and transparency [14][15]. The search string applied was: “Sign System” AND “Cognitive” To refine the search toward semiotic and behavioral aspects, the additional keyword “Semantic” was incorporated. The search was limited to English-language journal articles to maintain consistency in interpretation. The initial query produced 110 publications, which included complete bibliographic information such as titles, authors, abstracts, keywords, and sources. 2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria To ensure the relevance and quality of the reviewed studies, a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria was established based on thematic alignment, publication type, and methodological completeness. Inclusion criteria: • Peer-reviewed journal articles published in English. • Studies addressing sign systems, cognitive or semantic factors, or exit signage design. • Articles that include empirical, experimental, or simulation-based methods. • Studies focusing on human perception, wayfinding, or technological innovation related to signage. Exclusion criteria: • Conference proceedings, review papers, or non-peer-reviewed sources. • Publications unrelated to cognitive or semiotic perspectives of sign systems. • Articles with insufficient methodological information or inaccessible full text. After applying these criteria, 39 documents were retained for eligibility assessment and detailed review. The selection process was conducted in four stages: identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion, following PRISMA guidelines [14]. • Identification: The initial 110 articles were identified through database search. • Screening: Duplicates and irrelevant titles/abstracts were removed. • Eligibility: Full-text versions were assessed for relevance to cognitive, semantic, and exit signage themes. • Inclusion: A final 13 studies were included for detailed synthesis. 2.3. Screening and PRISMA Flow The SLR process followed the PRISMA four-stage approach identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion [14]. From an initial 110 records identified, duplicates and irrelevant papers were removed, leaving 13 final articles that met inclusion standards. This process is illustrated in the PRISMA Flow Diagram (Figure 11). 2.4. Data Extraction and Analysis The final dataset was analyzed through two complementary methods. First, a bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer to visualize co-authorship networks, keyword cooccurrence, citation trends, and source distributions [16]. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 823 Second, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was carried out to qualitatively extract and synthesize key information from each article, including research focus, methodology, cognitive and semantic dimensions, and technological innovations. A summary table (Table 1) presents detailed variables such as title, author, method, and findings. The integration of bibliometric mapping and systematic synthesis provides a comprehensive overview of the field, aligning with recommendations by Donthu et al [19] for hybrid bibliometric–SLR research. This process is summarized in Figure 11 (PRISMA Flow Diagram), illustrating how records were filtered at each stage. The final dataset represents the most relevant and high-quality studies forming the analytical foundation of this review. Table 1 Summary of Reviewed Literature on Sign Systems and Cognitive Research No Title Author (Year) Method / Techniques Variables Key Findings / Focus 1 An Approach of Checking an Exit Sign System Based on Navigation Graph Networks Fu, M., & Liu, R. (2020) Building Information Modelling (BIM) and navigation graph networks Continuity, consistency, and directional accuracy Proposed a graphbased model to verify exit sign logic and connectivity in BIM environments. 2 On the Origin of Species on Road Warning Signs: A Global Perspective Tryjanowski, P., Beim, M., Kubicka, A. M., Morelli, F., Sparks, T. H., & Sklenicka, P. (2021) Global literature review and data analysis from legal and web sources Animal warning types, design evolution, psychological and conservation effects Explored cultural and biological diversity in road signage evolution and its cognitive impact. 3 An Automated Direction Setting Algorithm for a Smart Exit Sign Cho, J., Lee, G., & Lee, S. (2015) Shortest-path algorithm Exit node classification, hazard detection, evacuation route optimization Developed an automated routesetting system capable of adapting to fire hazards. 4 Prototype Development and Test of a ServerIndependent Smart Exit Sign System Kim, H., Lee, G., & Cho, J. (2018) Prototype development and communication testing Network type, signal reliability, physical barriers Evaluated communication reliability of decentralized exit sign systems. 5 Application of Dijkstra’s Algorithm in the Smart Exit Sign Cho, J., Lee, G., Won, J., & Ryu, E. (2014) Automated Direction Setting Algorithm (ADSA) using Dijkstra’s algorithm Distance, safety route, recalibration Implemented path recalibration based on hazard propagation in real time. 6 Exploring Sign System Design for a Medical Facility: A Virtual Environment Study on Wayfinding Behaviors Wang, C. Y., Chen, C. I., & Zheng, M. C. (2023) Experimental study in virtual environments Wayfinding performance, anxiety, readability Found that optimized color-coded signage reduced stress and improved wayfinding accuracy. 7 IoT-Enabled Smart Emergency LED Exit Sign Controller Design Using Arduino Jung, J., Kwon, J., & Cha, J. (2017) IoT-based Arduino system Sensor types, response time, route accuracy Developed a costeffective IoT exit sign with multiple sensors for hazard detection. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 824 No Title Author (Year) Method / Techniques Variables Key Findings / Focus 8 A Traffic Sign Recognition System Based on Lightweight Network Learning Zhang, G., Li, Z., Huang, D., Luo, W., & Lu, Z. (2024) Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) using MobileNetV1 Model parameters, accuracy, FPS Introduced lightweight AI architecture for realtime sign recognition. 9 Traffic Sign Detection System for Locating Road Intersections and Roundabouts: The Chilean Case VillalónSepúlveda, G., Torres-Torriti, M., & Flores-Calero, M. (2017) Template matching using Er and Eg color channels Detection range, false alarm rate Proposed a colorbased algorithm to improve intersection sign detection. 10 Applying an Interpretable Machine Learning Framework to Traffic Safety Order Analysis of Expressway Exits Qi, H., Yao, Y., Zhao, X., Guo, J., & Zhang, Y. (2022) XGBoost with SHAP explanation Traffic Order Index (TOI), road and weather conditions Used interpretable ML models to analyze expressway safety at exit ramps. 11 Optimal Design Alternatives of Advance Guide Signs on Urban Expressways Huang, L., Zhao, X., Li, Y., Ma, J., & Yang, L. (2020) ANOVA and TOPSIS Lane change, speed, driver success rate Identified optimal guide sign configurations enhancing driver navigation. 12 Fire Evacuation Supported by Centralized and Decentralized Visual Guidance Systems Zhao, H., Schwabe, A., Schläfli, F., & Helbing, D. (2022) Virtual Reality and agent-based simulation Guidance type, evacuation efficiency, stress Showed that decentralized dynamic evacuation tools improves evacuation safety and reduces stress. 13 Dissuasive Exit Signage for Building Fire Evacuation Olander, J., Ronchi, E., Lovreglio, R., & Nilsson, D. (2017) Questionnaire with Affordance Theory framework Sign color, flashing lights, symbol type Found that flashing red lights and textual signs enhance warning salience. 3. Bibliometric In this study, a bibliometric analysis was employed as a quantitative approach combining descriptive and evaluative techniques to identify publication characteristics and research trends [19][20]. This method is widely applied in systematic reviews to summarise the overall structure of a scientific domain, including authors, journals, institutions, keywords, and citation networks [16]. The bibliometric process began by utilising the Scopus database as the primary data source due to its comprehensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature across engineering, design, and behavioural sciences. The initial search query employed the keywords “sign system” AND “cognitive”, which yielded 110 publications. These records contained complete bibliographic metadata such as titles, authors, abstracts, keywords, sources, and references. To refine the dataset, the additional keyword “semiotic” was incorporated to focus on studies linking sign systems with cognitive and behavioural processes. The search was limited to English-language publications to maintain consistency in interpretation. Subsequently, an eligibility screening was conducted to remove irrelevant records, resulting in a final dataset of 39 documents selected for further analysis. 3.1. Based on Annual Publications As illustrated in Figure 3, the annual publication trend concerning sign systems and semiotics in cognitive research can be categorised into three main phases. The first phase (2010–2017) shows limited and irregular publication activity, with only one to two documents per year. A minor inrease occurred in 2014, reaching three publications, which remained steady until 2016 before declining again in 2017. This early stage reflects the emergent nature of semiotic- World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 825 based cognitive studies, which often develop slowly due to the need for interdisciplinary integration [21]. The second phase (2018–2021) represents a period of fluctuation. Although no documents were recorded for two consecutive years, a sharp rise appeared in 2020, reaching five publications, followed by a drop to two in 2021. Such volatility is typical in developing research areas where publication trends often respond to shifts in technological adoption and global academic priorities [22]. The third phase (2022–2024) indicates renewed scholarly attention, with four documents published in 2022, then slightly decreasing to three per year in both 2023 and 2024. This modest recovery suggests a gradual but unstable growth pattern, implying that research on semiotic and cognitive sign systems is gaining traction but has yet to achieve consistent expansion. Overall, these results reveal that interest in this topic is periodically renewed rather than continuously increasing. This phenomenon aligns with the behaviour of niche interdisciplinary domains, where publication output often depends on technological progress, conceptual maturity, and research funding cycles [23]. Figure 3 Annual Publication Trend on Sign Systems and Semiotics in Cognitive Research (2010–2024) Figure 1 presents the annual distribution of publications related to sign systems and semiotics within the cognitive domain from 2010 to 2024. The trend shows fluctuating growth across the period, with three distinct phases. A low and irregular publication rate is observed between 2010 and 2017, followed by intermittent increases during 2018–2021 and a moderate recovery from 2022 onward. The sharp rise in 2020 indicates a temporary surge in research interest, likely driven by the growing relevance of cognitive and semiotic integration in humannsystem interaction studies. However, the overall pattern remains inconsistent, reflecting the developing and interdisciplinary nature of this research field. 3.2. Keyword C0-Occurance Analysis In bibliometric studies, co-occurrence refers to how many times certain keywords appear together within the same document. A co-occurrence keyword network analysis offers researchers a window into the underlying structure of a domain, enabling the identification of how research topics cluster, evolve, and interconnect over [24]. By constructing keyword networks, one can trace emerging trends, thematic centrality, and conceptual linkages across distinct phases of a field [25]. Based on Figure 2, the co-occurrence map shows how the most frequently paired keywords in sign systems and semiotics–cognitive research coalesce into thematic clusters, revealing both dominant research domains and structural relationships among topics. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 826 Figure 4 The keyword co-occurrence network generated from the bibliometric analysis of publications on sign systems and semiotic–cognitive research between 2010 and 2024 Each node represents a keyword, and the link strength between nodes indicates the frequency with which those terms appear together in the same document. Larger nodes signify higher keyword occurrence, while thicker connecting lines indicate stronger co-occurrence relationships. The visualization reveals that “sign systems” serves as the central theme, closely connected to terms such as “cognitive systems,” “semiotics,” “artificial intelligence,” and “humanncomputer interaction.” These associations suggest that recent research increasingly integrates semiotic principles with cognitive and computational frameworks, particularly in the context of intelligent systems and digital interaction. Peripheral clusters like “action,” “aging,” and “railroads” indicate niche or applied domains linked to specific case studies. Overall, this network reflects the evolving structure of the research field, demonstrating a shift from traditional semiotic theory toward data-driven cognitive modeling and AI-based semiotic applications, aligning with trends in emerging interdisciplinary science (Lim et al., 2024; Wu et al., 2024; van Eck & Waltman, 2010). Figure 5 Frequency and Link Strength of Keyword Co-occurrence in Sign Systems and Cognitive Research (2010– 2024) Following the keyword co-occurrence network visualized in Figure 4, Figure 5 presents the statistical verification of the most frequent and interconnected keywords identified from the Scopus dataset using VOSviewer. The table lists the occurrence frequency and total link strength of each keyword, both of which serve as indicators of thematic centrality and research prominence within the analyzed domain. The results show that “cognition” ranks highest in occurrence (6) and total link strength (163), confirming its role as a pivotal concept linking various subdomains. Keywords such as “sign systems,” “semiotics,” “decision making,” and “cognitive systems” also appear prominently, signifying a growing interdisciplinary integration between cognitive science, semiotic theory, and intelligent system design. Meanwhile, less frequent keywords such as “aging,” “anxiety,” “behavior change,” and “bioavailability” indicate more specialized or emerging areas that, while peripheral, highlight the field’s potential for thematic expansion. This quantitative World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 827 verification supports the network findings, revealing how sign system studies increasingly intersect with human cognition, digital interaction, and adaptive decision-making frameworks. Such keyword-based analyses provide valuable insight into the conceptual evolution of research domains and help scholars identify central and peripheral themes that shape disciplinary growth [26][27]. 3.3. Based on Authors Citation analysis reflects the contribution and influence of authors within a specific research domain. In this study, coauthorship was used as the analytical basis, where authors served as the unit of analysis to evaluate collaborative relationships and academic performance. To assess research productivity, three main indicators were considered: the total number of publications, the total number of citations, and the average number of citations per publication. The minimum inclusion criterion was set at two documents per author, and those meeting this requirement were included in the analysis. The resulting table lists the authors with the highest number of publications and citations, while the corresponding figure illustrates the scientific collaboration network among researchers in this field. The average citation count for each author was calculated by dividing the total number of citations by the total number of publications. The co-authorship network revealed two primary clusters of collaboration, indicating regional or thematic research groupings within the sign system and semiotic–cognitive domains. Prominent contributors include Torres Martinez, S. and Zlaten, J., each with three publications, followed by Budaev, E. V., Chang, Y. J., Chen, C. N., and several others with two publications each. In terms of citation impact, these authors also demonstrate significant scholarly connections, as their works are frequently co-cited or referenced together across publications. The citation network further indicates that numerous researchers from different geographical regions are interconnected through shared themes in sign system and semiotic studies, reflecting a growing pattern of international collaboration. Such analyses help identify core authors and research clusters, providing insight into the intellectual structure and collaborative dynamics of the field [21][26][28]. Figure 6 Total Publications and Citations by Author To further explore the intellectual influence of authors, Figure 6 and Figure 7 summarize publication productivity and citation performance within the dataset. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 819-836 834 References [1] Nilsson, D., Johansson, A., & Frantzich, H. (2020). Evacuation experiments in smoke: Behaviour and exit choice. Fire and Materials, 44(2), 223–233. [2] Fridolf, K., Ronchi, E., Nilsson, D., & Frantzich, H. (2019). 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