Evaluation of Elongated Pavement Marking Signs

The goal of this study was to evaluate the conspicuity, legibility, and effectiveness of symbolized pavement markings that are elongated (horizontal) versions of the post-mounted signs they complement. Towards this goal, a comprehensive literature and state-of-the-practice review was performed followed by a driving simulator evaluation and field evaluation of elongated pavement markings. Research shows that elongated pavement marking letters and arrows significantly improve recognition distance; however, the effect of elongated pavement marking signs has not been evaluated. Based on a comprehensive literature review and feedback from the Traffic Control Devices Pooled Fund Study members, speed limit (R2-1), curve (W1-2), and pedestrian crossing (W11-2) signs were chosen for the driving simulator evaluation. Results from the driving simulator evaluation indicate that recognition distance increased quadratically as elongation ratio increased. Data suggested an elongation ratio of 5:1 provided maximum visibility distance for drivers. Driving simulator results also showed that operating speeds of drivers in conditions with elongated pavement marking signs complimenting post-mounted signs were similar or lower than operating speeds in locations with only post-mounted signs. The field evaluation was limited to speed limit and curve signs. Field evaluations were conducted in Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin using the 5:1 elongation ratio for speed and curve warning signs. Operating speed of free flowing vehicles was used as the measure of effectiveness and speed data were collected upstream of-, at-, and downstream of the corresponding post-mounted sign. The speed limit sign was tested at four sites (at least one in each state) and was found to effectively reduce operating speeds at three of the sites. A curve sign was tested at three sites in Kansas and Wisconsin and found operating speed reductions at two of the sites. Research findings demonstrate a measureable effect in operating speed reduction with installing elongated pavement marking regulatory and warning signs to compliment the adjacent post-mounted signs.

• Record URL:
  http://www.pooledfund.org/Document/Download/5366
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wisconsin, Madison

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  1415 Engineering Drive
  Madison, WI  United States  53706

  Federal Highway Administration

  Office of Safety Research and Development
  6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101-2296
• Authors:
  • Chitturi, Madhav V
  • Noyce, David A
  • Santiago-Chaparro, Kelvin R
  • Alsghan, Ibrahim
• Publication Date: 2014-10-15

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 103p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driving simulators; Field studies; Literature reviews; Operating speed; Road markings; State of the practice; Traffic control devices
• Geographic Terms: Kansas; Missouri; Wisconsin
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01548566
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 23 2014 12:08PM