Human Factors Guidelines for Road Systems: Second Edition (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 169-179
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General Principles for Sign Legends .
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR SIGN LEGENDS Introduction Sign legends refer to the text and/or symbols composing the sign message. Legends that are too long or too complicated can lead to problems in comprehension.
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Discussion The relatively sm all am ount of available space on roadway signs suggests the need to make the best use of this space when designing legends. The guidelines on the previous page have been adapted from the MUTCD ( 1 )
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SIGN DESIGN TO IMPROVE LEGIBILITY Introduction Sign design refers to the design parameters of signs that impact the legibility of text placed on the sign. Sign legibility is greatly affected by specific design characteristics of signs that contribute to drivers' ability to perceive and understand a sign's message in order to promote safe driving behaviors.
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Discussion The table on the previous page summarizes key design guidelines that can help improve sign legibility and safety. A great number of studies have examined specific properties of roadway signs that affect legibility, and many of the results from these studies are reflected in the MUTCD.
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C ONSPICUITY OF D IAMOND W ARNING S IGNS UNDER N IGHTTIME C ONDITIONS Introduction Conspicuity refers to how easy it is to see and locate a visual target. In the context of road signs, it represents how easy it is to distinguish a sign from the surrounding visual environm ent.
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Discussion Mace et al.
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DRIVER COMPREHENSION OF SIGNS Introduction Sign comprehension refers to a driver's or road user's ability to interpret the meaning of a sign. Signs should be designed and presented so that their message is comprehended and understood by users.
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Discussion The figure below shows the three stages that appear to be associated with comprehension and use of signs: legibility, recognition, and interpretation. As shown below, this sequence of icon comprehension refers to the perceptual and cognitive process by which users interpret the meaning of a sign.
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COMPLEXITY OF SIGN INFORMATION Introduction The complexity of sign information refers to the number of information units presented as part of a roadway sign message. In this context, an information unit can describe geography (e.g., city)
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Discussion The longer the message, the more processing time the driver requires. Therefore, messages that require the driver to make an immediate response should be as short as possible.
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