A photoluminescent guide for an emergency lighting system includes a housing having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal slot extending between the first end and the second end. A one-piece composite insert is disposed within the longitudinal slot. The one-piece composite insert includes a photoluminescent layer and a light-transmitting layer integrally secured to the photoluminescent layer. The one-piece composite insert is configured to receive light at the photoluminescent layer through the light-transmitting layer and to emit light from the photoluminescent layer through the light-transmitting layer.