## 1 Introduction  
In the context of rapid urbanization, the guidance signage system is expanding to meet the growing demand for public travel. In the interiors, exits, and entrances of landmarks and transportation hubs, wayfinding signage plays an important role in guiding traffic flow [1], which also acts as a major source for travelers to obtain destination information [2]. The complex spatial environment inside the hub affects the behavior and information needs of travelers. Whether the guidance signage is complete and accurate or not directly affects travel efficiency [3]. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a scientific and systematic evaluation of guidance signage from the visual perspective of travelers, as they are the subjects of hub service. Signage is an indispensable guidance system to assist travelers in integrated hubs. The design and deployment of signage should align with the specific functions, layout configurations, and the unique needs of passengers or pedestrians within transportation hubs. When selecting scenarios for evaluating directional signage, scholars have conducted assessments of guidance signage at various hubs, such as integrated passenger terminals [4], rail transit entry and exit points [5], airports [6], urban roads [7], highways [8], and tunnels [9]. Each of these serves as a representative case study for assessing the effectiveness of internal signage and developing corresponding evaluation frameworks. While the functions, layouts, and types of these hubs differ, the core principles and methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of internal guidance signage exhibit commonality across different settings. Surveys were distributed during field investigation and cognitive experiments [10] to establish an evaluation of the guidance signage system in subway stations [3]. When evaluating the guidance signage inside the integrated hubs, the planning and design methods of wayfinding signage were analyzed. Then, the perception and behavioral data of travelers [4] was obtained from the perspective of information needs [11]. After summarizing the setting methods and limitations of signage, the layout method of guidance signage based on traveler behavioral characteristics and spatial positioning model is proposed [12]. When selecting evaluation variables for the objective setting of guidance signage, scholars started with basic elements such as colors, fonts [13], graphics, and quantity [14]. They selected information setting [15], visual recognition [16], etc., to establish the evaluation model of guidance signage effectiveness. Moreover, the criteria and considerations for the installation and evaluation of indoor versus outdoor directional signage vary significantly. Researchers have conceptualized and categorized the factors influencing the effectiveness of indoor digital signage, identifying five primary criteria for evaluation: interactivity, user context, scalability, spatial aesthetics, and visual dynamics. Furthermore, the integration of eye-tracking devices, VR technology, and driving simulators presents novel methodologies for evaluating signage systems [17]. VR technology facilitates the creation of controlled experimental environments [18], where visual tracking techniques could be employed to analyze eye-tracking metrics, such as gaze duration, for comprehensive visual assessments [19]. By immersing users in computer-generated virtual environments, VR offers a highly engaging and realistic experience. Eye-tracking technology using devices like eye trackers captures detailed data on pupil movement and gaze time by monitoring eye activity. As an objective tool for studying decision-making behavior, eye-tracking has been extensively applied across various domains and has become a valuable method for assessing visual and psychological processes [20; 21]. Driving simulators, which offer high safety and repeatability, provide an ideal platform for conducting experimental evaluations of directional signage in environments such as highways and tunnels [22].