Citation

Avant LL, Brewer KA, Thieman AA, Woodman WF. Transp. Res. Rec. 1985; 1027: 45-49.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Forced choice recognition errors were examined for tachistoscopic presentations of four sign messages (Stop, Go Right, Go Left, Slow Down) displayed in word versus symbol format. Sign exposure durations were 1, 2, and 3 standard deviations (32, 41, and 49 msec) above the mean exposure duration for chance-level presence or absence detection of a traffic sign in the visual field (24 msec). As exposure duration increased, recognition errors decreased more rapidly for Stop message signs than for other messages. Word versus symbol format differentially influenced reductions in recognition errors for Right, Left, and Slow messages but had little influence on errors on Stop message signs. Several pairs of signs were shown to be reciprocally confused with each other, and Merge Right signs were frequently confused with signs presenting three different action messages. For the signs tested, those that are likely to produce recognition errors resulting in accidents were identified as well as those for which recognition errors are unlikely to produce accidents.

Language: en

Keywords

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC CONTROL; HIGHWAY SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS; TRANSPORTATION - Accident Prevention; CODES, SYMBOLIC; HUMAN ENGINEERING - Behavioral Research; SYSTEMS SCIENCE AND CYBERNETICS