Effects of Chinese Font Style and Color on Variable Message Signs

Variable message signs (VMS) are important traffic control devices for increasing road utility and decreasing traffic accidents. This study investigated the effects of Chinese font style (Hei, Ming, and Kai) and font color (red, green, and yellow) of VMS on subjects’ response performance (response time and accuracy) from an ergonomic viewpoint. Computer-generated VMS stimuli were merged with driver’s-view driving video and projected onto a screen while subjects made responses. The results showed that Chinese font style and font color both were significant factors in subjects’ response performance. Subjects took less response time for Hei style than for Kai and Ming styles, and exhibited higher accuracy for Hei and Ming styles than for Kai style. Subjects responded faster and more correctly for yellow and green font colors than for red. Additionally, the interaction of font style and font color had a significant effect on subjects’ response performance. Response times for yellow and green colors were shorter than for red on each font style. Subjects had the longest time for Ming style in red color, while they had the least correct for Kai style in red color. The results from this study may assist in adopting appropriate Chinese font and color on VMS and in improving safe and efficient driving for motorists on the freeway.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780874141580
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Iowa, Iowa City

  Public Policy Center
  227 South Quadrangle
  Iowa City, IA  United States  52242-1192
• Authors:
  • Lai, Chien-Jung
  • Yen, Kuo-Duan
  • Wang, Duan-Bing
• Conference:
  • Driving Assessment 2007: 4th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training, and Vehicle Design
  • Location: Stevenson Washington, United States
  • Date: 2007-7-9 to 2007-7-12
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 167-173
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the 4th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training, and Vehicle Design, Stevenson, Washington, July 9-12, 2007

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Countermeasures; Ergonomics; Green; Highway safety; Highway traffic control; Human factors; Human subject testing; Reaction time; Red; Traffic control devices; Traffic crashes; Variable message signs; Yellow
• Uncontrolled Terms: Font color; Font style; Sign fonts
• Geographic Terms: Taiwan
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055557
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780874141580
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 23 2007 1:01PM