Wayfinding Information Sufficiency and Spatial Communication for Unfamiliar Users in Public Metro Stations: A Conceptual Framework

Large metro stations present significant challenges for unfamiliar users who must interpret spatial information and make navigation decisions under time pressure and uncertainty. While wayfinding systems are widely recognized as essential components of public transport infrastructure, existing studies have primarily evaluated signage in terms of visibility and compliance, rather than the sufficiency of information available to users during decision-making. This paper introduces the concept of wayfinding information sufficiency and proposes a conceptual framework that examines how spatial information supports both route-finding and spatial communication among unfamiliar users in public metro stations. The framework considers three interrelated dimensions: accessibility of information, interpretability of signage and spatial cues, and referencability for interpersonal communication and location description. Drawing on observations of complex metro environments, the paper argues that insufficient or poorly distributed information can lead to hesitation, corrective movements, and localized congestion, which may increase safety risks and reduce operational efficiency. The study reframes wayfinding as a behavioral and communicative process embedded in the interaction between users and spatial information systems. The framework aims to support future empirical research and practical applications in the design and management of large public transport environments. It also provides a conceptual basis for evaluating information redundancy and improving wayfinding systems for unfamiliar users.