LEADWAY replaces static exit signs with autonomous drones that fly ahead of evacuees and physically lead them out. Units patrol continuously, so the drone that first identifies a fire signals standby units to deploy across the building within seconds. In heavy smoke and power outages, fixed signage and building-wide announcements cannot tell anyone which way is still safe. LEADWAY answers with high-visibility directional lighting as the primary cue, extending the visible route from 1 to 8 meters and raising route recognition from 46% to 91%, with onboard voice guidance as a supporting layer. Thermal and vision sensors locate stranded occupants and re-route crowds away from compromised exits, while a mesh network keeps every unit and arriving first responders on one live picture. Across offices, residential buildings, transit hubs, and schools, LEADWAY targets a drop in evacuation time from 12 to 7 minutes.