Symbolic Sign for Oversized-Truck Route Signs
The Surface Transportation Assistance Act mandates greater uniformity in truck size and weight, requiring some States to raise their limits, at least for trucks traveling on the National Network of Highways, comprised of the Interstate System and portions of the Federal-Aid Primary System. Part of the law allows the States to mark these routes with signs. This study evaluated six candidate symbolic signs which could be used for these truck routes. A sample of the general public was used in tests of visibility, meaning, and preference. A sample of truck drivers participated in tests of recognition time, meaning, and preference. The study findings indicate that a side-view, double-trailer sign had the best recognition time, and the best meaning scores. Even though in the visibility study it did not have the longest recognition distances, no other truck was labeled as an oversized truck as often as the double-trailer sign. A good possibility exists that the other candidate signs may be confused with the presently used NO TRUCKS sign. Finally, both truck drivers and the general public overwhelmingly preferred the double-trailer sign over the other candidate signs.
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
Federal Highway Administration
Traffic Systems Division
McLean, VA United States -
Authors:
- Walker, Jonathan
- Alicandri, Elizabeth
- Roberts, King
- Publication Date: 1984-12
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Edition: Final Report
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 38p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Comprehension; Consumer preferences; Oversize loads; Route signs; Symbol signs; Truck drivers
- Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01890342
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/RD-85/064
- Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
- Created Date: Aug 21 2023 5:06PM