MOTORIST DIRECTION-FINDING AIDS: RECOVERY FROM FREEWAY EXISTING ERRORS
Two controlled field experiments were conducted to investigate driver direction-finding performance following a missed exit error on a freeway. A total of 118 male and female subjects was observed as they attempted to navigate to a preassigned destination after an induced error. The effectiveness of road maps, an interactive phone information center, and a schematic map generated by a simulated computerized information center were studied. Unaided subjects were observed to have considerable difficulty in recovering from the missed exit error. Use of road maps increased route-finding efficiency. However, a significant proportion of the subjects could not or would not use available maps. The more sophisticated navigational aids were the most effective in improving direction-finding performance. Subjects using the schematic map from the computerized information center performed the best. A severe motorist direction-finding problem exists and additional studies are required to identify practical solutions that can be implemented on a wide scale. It is also concluded that improved motorist direction-finding is a major means to conserve fuel. (Author)
-
Corporate Authors:
Federal Highway Administration
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA United States 22101 -
Authors:
- Mast, T M
- Lareau Jr, W
- Publication Date: 1984-12
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 57 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Behavior; Driver information systems; Drivers; Freeways; Guide signs; Intersection elements; Maps; Measures of effectiveness; Traffic signs
- Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
- Old TRIS Terms: Freeway signs
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00395184
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: RD-82-098
- Files: TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Nov 30 1988 12:00AM