Citation

Laurie NE, Zhang S, Mundoli R, Duffy SA, Collura J, Fisher DL. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2004; 7(3): 151-166.

Affiliation

Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Psychology University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trf.2004.07.001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Drivers who make wrong-way entries onto highway exit ramps or restricted roads are at serious risk of injuring themselves or others. One cause of these wrong-way entries may be the actual signage itself. A good sign in this context should draw attention to itself and then convey its message as quickly and clearly as possible. However, the existence of wrong-way entries suggests that this is not always happening with the recommended two-dimensional Do Not Enter plus One-Way sign that is currently posted at most exit ramp terminals. Several alternative Do Not Enter signs were evaluated on the University of Massachusetts driving simulator, signs which based on a preliminary evaluation should better draw attention to themselves and more quickly convey their message. The alternative signs included both a three-dimensional Do Not Enter sign and a combined One-Way plus No Right Turn sign (without the usual symbology). Participants noticed more wrong-way entries when exit ramp terminals were posted with the combined One-Way plus No Right Turn sign than when they were posted with all other alternatives, though this difference was only marginally significant when compared with the standard two-dimensional Do Not Enter plus One-Way sign. These results were consistent with multiple resource theory, which assumes different resource pools are used to process verbal and spatial information.