RECOGNITION OF SYMBOL AND WORD TRAFFIC SIGNS

A 35 mm slide tachistoscope projector was used to present 26 subjects with both symbol and word traffic signs, 1 at a time for an exposure duration of either 1/3- or 1/18-second. Each presentation was followed by either a 5-second delay period, a 10-second delay period, or a 10-second interference period, after which the subject was asked to match the test sign to an identical sign, which was 1 of 10 shown on a following slide. The accuracy of the match was recorded. During the 10-second interference period, the subject was required to perform a simple reading task. Ten subjects were tested at the 1/3-second viewing time and 16 at the 1/18-second viewing time. All subjects, both drivers and nondrivers, were familiar with the word signing system, but only 1 had been previously exposed to the symbol system. The results of this study show that, under these laboratory test conditions, symbol signs are more accurately recognized at the 1/18-second viewing time than are word signs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  425 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • King, L E
• Publication Date: 1975-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 5 p.
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Laboratory tests; Reaction time; Road markings; Symbols; Traffic signs
• Old TRIS Terms: Word markings
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098806
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: DL 70-001(001-003)
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM