The Halo effect in airport terminals: how wayfinding experiences influence emergency preparedness through perceived reliability

As critical infrastructure in global transportation networks, airport terminals with high passenger throughput require effective safety management to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency. Recognizing the importance of a human-centric approach, this study delves into wayfinding signage (WS) that facilitates routine navigation for passengers in airport terminals and emergency exit signage (EES) that guides evacuations during emergencies. We hypothesize that the passengers’ experience in different WS performance criteria—visibility, legibility, consistency, and correctness—affect passengers’ perceived reliability of it, which, by virtue of the Halo Effect, subsequently influences their perceived reliability of EES and willingness to comply with EES. To validate the hypotheses in our research model, we designed a targeted questionnaire and collected 397 valid responses from airport terminals in four major cities in China. The results substantiate the presence of the Halo Effect and reveal the significant impact of certain dimensions of WS performance criteria on passengers’ reliability perception and their willingness to comply. The findings emphasize the mediating role of perceived reliability in converting environmental design into behavioral intentions and actions, offering theoretical insights and practical recommendations for optimizing WS design to improve routine services and emergency preparedness in airport management. It also advances the understanding of reliability perception mechanisms in public spaces and offers practical significance for improving public safety through everyday efforts. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.