COLOR AND SHAPE FOR FREEWAY ROUTE GUIDANCE: VOLUME I--EXECUTIVE SUMMARY; VOLUME II--FINAL REPORT; VOLUME III--APPENDICES A AND B-LITERATURE REVIEW AND LABORATORY STUDIES

The purpose of this research effort was to develop and field test a unique color and shape coding system which offered promise as a supplement to conventional guide signing on problem interchanges. Following a review of the technical literature, a series of laboratory studies was conducted to empirically identify the most appropriate color and shape combinations for symbol signs. The symbol signs were used in various ways in the design of five color/shape coded route guidance systems which were installed and subjected to field evaluation on problem interchanges. With the exception of the intitial system evaluated, all other systems resulted in operations and safety benefits as evidenced by a statistically significant reduction in erratic maneuvers and significant improvement in other operational measures. It was concluded that the color/shape coding concept as applied to freeway route guidance results in sufficient benfit to merit further development and testing of such systems.

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Department of Engineering Mechanics
  University Park, PA  United States  16802
• Authors:
  • Hostetter, R S
  • Zweig, W D
  • Trumbo, D A
  • Serig, D I
  • Gould III, D F
  • Olsen, R A
• Publication Date: 1978

Media Info

• Pagination: 301p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Color codes; Freeways; Highway operations; Laboratory studies; Rainfall; Route guidance; Traffic; Traffic safety; Traffic signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rainfall intensity
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178790
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-78- 61 Final Rpt., FHWA-RD-78- 62, FHWH-RD-78- 63
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8849
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 1978 12:00AM