MOTORIST UNDERSTANDING OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES: STUDY RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. INTERIM REPORT

This report describes a study in which driver understanding of 53 traffic control devices was evaluated through five different evaluation procedures. The traffic control devices evaluated in the study include 13 regulatory signs, 18 warning signs, 10 other types of signs, 7 pavement markings, and 5 signal indications. The five procedures described in the report include a statewide survey of 1,745 drivers, two different surveys administered at auto shows to a total of 608 drivers, a Spanish-language survey of 31 drivers, and 3 focus groups of 10 drivers each. The statewide, 1992 Auto Show, and Spanish-language surveys used a multiple-choice format, while the 1993 Auto Show and focus groups utilized an open-ended response format. In all, 2,414 drivers participated in the evaluations. The report also describes the findings, recommendations, and implementation efforts associated with each of the 53 traffic control devices. Recommendations include changes to the Texas MUTCD, changes in TxDOT practices, revisions of the "Texas Drivers Handbook", changes in the driver education/driver safety course curriculums, a public information campaign, and the conduct of additional research.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/hostedpdfs/tti/1261-4.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/82305
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research study title: Assessment and Improvement of Motorist Understanding of Traffic Control Devices.
• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
  Arlington, TX  United States  76011

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Transfer Office, P.O. Box 5051
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5051

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hawkins Jr, H G
  • Womack, K N
  • Mounce, J M
• Publication Date: 1995-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 258 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Comprehension; Data collection; Drivers; Evaluation; Recommendations; Regulatory signs; Road markings; Surveys; Traffic control devices; Traffic signals; Warning signs
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Research; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00681976
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-95/1261-4, Res Rept 1261-4, TTI: 0-1261
• Contract Numbers: Study 0-1261
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 28 1995 12:00AM