CONTOUR SEPARATION AND SIGN LEGIBILITY

Closely adjacent contours can reduce the legibility of a character or word, a physiological phenomenon known as contour interaction. The legibility of an alphanumeric legend can be reduced as a consequence of this phenomenon if the spacing between letters is narrowed, although it has been shown that the loss of legibility is usually too small to be of practical significance. In this paper it is shown that a bold surrounding contour can cause a more significant loss of legibility. However, variation in the luminance (brightness) of the display within the range of 30 to 100 cd/sq m does not affect legibility or the extent of contour interaction.

• Record URL:
  http://arrbknowledge.com
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00050164
• Corporate Authors:

  ARRB

  Melbourne, Victoria  Australia 
• Authors:
  • Anderton, P J
  • Cole, B L
• Publication Date: 1982-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 103-109
• Serial:
  • Australian Road Research
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: ARRB
  • ISSN: 0005-0164

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contours; Design; Legibility; Luminous intensity; Traffic signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Separation
• Old TRIS Terms: Traffic sign design
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00385579
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-035 850
• Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM