THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VERTICAL TRAFFIC SIGNS: EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

This study reports three experiments concerned with traffic sign design. In the first phase of Experiment I, 10 subjects were presented a series of numerals including 40 from each of the Czechoslovak Norm, Gill, and Mackworth types, and subjects' response time and errors in identification were measured; in the second phase, 30 subjects were presented a series of arrows, including 80 from each of the german and Italian types, and subjects' identification of arrow directions were recorded. Findings suggest that Gill numerals and Italian arrows were most legible. In Experiment II, the location and varying color contrast of temporary traffic signs were studied by recording violations of experimental signs. Results indicate that placement of signs in the center of the road and the use of a yellow contrast board behind the sign increased driver detection and decreased traffic violations. In Experiment III, 14 21-52 year olds with normal visual acuity were required, while riding in a car at constant speed of 20 km/hr, to read road signs which differed according to message and composition. Findings reveal that polystyrene signs were more legible than triflex signs. /Author/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00393320
• Corporate Authors:

  Slovak Academy of Sciences

  Klemensova 19
  895 30 Bratislava,   Slovakia 
• Authors:
  • Hoskovec, J
  • Stikar, J
  • Raouf, A
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 220-223
• Serial:
  • Studia Psychologica
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • ISSN: 0039-3320

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arrows (Signals); Contrast; Design; Emergency response time; Errors; Identification systems; Legibility; Location; Measures of effectiveness; Numbers; Polystyrene; Reaction time; Traffic signs; Visibility
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Identification
• Old TRIS Terms: Arrow (Traffic control); Traffic sign design
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00158434
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 29 1977 12:00AM