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From page 12... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 10 CHAPTER 2 Research Approach 2.0 Approach – Literature Review Preliminary research included a literature review to identify new and emerging research or recommendations regarding the use of pictograms for emergency communication in transit. Research topics that guided the literature review process included existing symbols, pictograms, and illustrations in use; processes for developing and testing effective symbols and forms of communication for populations with functional communication needs; pictograms for conveying safety and emergency information; identified communication needs of populations with communication barriers; and barriers to communicating with these populations. Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 11 group of symbols similar in appearance. It was also learned that while some symbols, representing easy to understand destinations, could be read with few problems, others were difficult to comprehend. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 12 According to many graphic design experts, the best examples of pictograms for emergencies included the following traits: • Black on white; color tends to distract from the message. • Simple. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 13 Awareness for Transit Employees, which covers skills for observing, determining, and reporting people or things that are suspicious. (Balog, Boyd and Caton 2003) Read the entire page →
From page 16... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 14 2.2 Interviews with Transit Providers Approach The team developed and internally reviewed an interview discussion guide (see Appendix A) Read the entire page →
From page 17... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 15 o Public awareness and training on the tools would be very important. o Periodic reminders/refresher training about the picture-based messages, their purpose and meaning would be required. Read the entire page →
From page 18... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 16 2.3 Interviews with Experts Serving Vulnerable Populations Approach The research team relied on long and trusted relationships with a range of advocates and service providers for vulnerable population groups in carrying out this information-gathering task. In addition to specific information sources referred by panel members (and two project panel members) Read the entire page →
From page 19... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 17 2. Test pictograms with very little or no wording combined with the pictures. Read the entire page →
From page 20... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 18 2.4 Select a Scenario for Developing and Testing Messages Approach A scenario useful for studying the potential of pictograms in an emergency affecting bus transit needs several characteristics, if the study is to be broadly applicable in the transportation industry. These characteristics include an emergency circumstance that could occur: • In a wide variety of locations throughout the U.S.; • As an event that could be sudden in some instances, anticipated or forecast in others; • With sufficient time for a bus driver to address the emergency with passengers as it is unfolding, not just in aftermath (e.g., not a collision or explosion) Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 19 are most common in hilly areas with steep valleys, or along small waterways in urban environments. Their speed, depth, and the element of surprise make flash floods very dangerous, giving vehicles in their paths little time to prepare, make a course correction, or evacuate. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 20 The effect of flooding on buses in most areas is similar, so this scenario has widespread use. Obvious exceptions include mudslides or flash floods on mountain roads, but otherwise flooding on roadways has important elements in common, including most people's lack of understanding about the dangers of running water that does not appear to them to be deep. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 21 2.5 Develop and Test Pictograms Approach Develop and test a set of pictograms for the selected scenario and test for effectiveness in communicating critical messages. Conduct field tests with people representing populations that have functional communication needs to discover whether the proposed pictograms communicate the message and elicit the desired behavior. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 22 people who are elderly; people with mobility limitations; people with limited or no English proficiency; people who are distracted, such as adult caregivers of children, elders or disabled companions; people who are tuned in to electronic devices (estimated by drivers as more than 90 percent of bus riders) Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 23 barriers. The feedback indicated that the pictograms generally "looked very good,' but needed refinement. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 24 The final set of pictograms was printed on 8.5" x 11" card stock in black and white; the actual images comprised slightly more than half the sheet (see Appendix C) Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 25 2.6 Conduct Pilot Tests Approach Create a pilot program. Apply the findings from all tasks to develop a pilot program that transit managers can use to sample the effectiveness of pictograms to convey transportation information in routine and emergency situations. Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 26 outcomes. Another set of guidelines was created for the community service provider to use in recruiting participants; working with the transit agency; observing during the test; and reporting outcomes. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 27 d. Provide staff to support the transit agency by being present during the testing to assist the bus driver with making observations and taking notes. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 28 vulnerable individuals. They have learned to cope with the number of changes that do occur when one is a regular commuter," Ms. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... TCRP A-33A Final Report 29 Pilot Tests On a parked bus, drivers stood facing the "passengers" for pictogram pilot tests. After brief introductions and an explanation of how the discussion process would flow, the drivers faced the back of the bus, held up the pictograms one at a time, and followed scripts provided by the research team. Read the entire page →

From page 12...

... TCRP A-33A Final Report 10 CHAPTER 2 Research Approach 2.0 Approach – Literature Review Preliminary research included a literature review to identify new and emerging research or recommendations regarding the use of pictograms for emergency communication in transit. Research topics that guided the literature review process included existing symbols, pictograms, and illustrations in use; processes for developing and testing effective symbols and forms of communication for populations with functional communication needs; pictograms for conveying safety and emergency information; identified communication needs of populations with communication barriers; and barriers to communicating with these populations.