RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROADSIDE SIGNS AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: A FIELD INVESTIGATION

The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate the relationship between signs located proximally to sixty randomly selected urban traffic intersections and traffic accidents at those intersections. Specific sign dimensions studied were: total number, type (public versus commercial), size, and color. The dependent variable was at-fault accidents during the 1975 calendar year. Results indicated that larger sized commercial signs were significantly related to accidents at stop sign controlled intersections. No relationship was found between signs and accidents at traffic signal controlled intersections. Possible interpretations for the findings are considered, and some practical suggestions for reducing the effects of distracting signs at stop sign intersections are advanced. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This report was sponsored by the Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Texas, Austin

  Council for Advanced Transportation Studies
  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Authors:
  • Holahan, C J
• Publication Date: 1977-11

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Color; Distraction; Intersections; Roadside advertising; Signalized intersections; Size; Stop signs; Traffic crashes; Traffic signs; Urban highways
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00173256
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Res. Rpt. 54, HS-025 863
• Contract Numbers: (77) 7200-02 B
• Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 12 1983 12:00AM