Presentation factors and driver characteristics affecting road-sign registration

Abstract

Perception of road signs was investigated on a stretch of Belgrade suburban road on which a temporary road sign was set up before a bend. Sign registration was investigated for three signs in five situations using three display conditions (each sign separately, simultaneous presentation of two different signs, and successive presentation of the same sign). The results showed that the probability of sign recall was low and there were large differences between the three different road signs. The simultaneous presentation of two signs did not not result in a higher registration compared with that of the more effective of the two signs presented on its own. Simultaneous presentation enhanced performance only for the less effective of the two signs. However, successive presentation of the same sign in a short spatial interval did considerably increase sign registration. Also, it was found that sign registration was related to driver's age, professional status, kind of driving and mileage driven annually. Young drivers, professional drivers and drivers who drive more often were better in recalling the signs.