The influence of sign variations on drivers' comprehension

Tamar Ben-Bassat, David Shinar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Road Sign comprehension studies typically focus on differences among signs, demonstrating large variability in comprehension among different signs. Differences in features of sign design can be grouped into their shape, background color, and the symbol/icon in their center. This study demonstrated that specific sign messages can be presented with different sign features without detrimental effects on either comprehension level or response time. In particular, the choice of background color (yellow or white) appears to be inconsequential for comprehension. It seems that some sign characteristics are not critical to comprehension and consequently licensed drivers may even incorrectly identify a non-local sign as the standard sign that they actually encounter on the roads. However, other sign features - especially those relating to the icon/symbol - can be critical to comprehension when they violate the icon-concept compatibility, as it is represented in drivers' long-term memory.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
PublisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages1918-1922
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781510889538
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018
Event62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: 1 Oct 20185 Oct 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume3
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Conference

Conference62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period1/10/185/10/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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