Citation

Stockton WR, Dudek CL. Transp. Res. Rec. 1978; 683: 5-8.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews a study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute to investigate the legibility distance and display characteristics of lamp matrix signs. The study was limited to one sign with 46 cm (18 in.) characters and 20 subjects. Thus, the research results do not constitute definitive guidelines for the design of lamp matrix signs; however, they may be useful as a starting point in the design of other sizes of lamp matrix displays. The mean legibility distance for all subjects was about 255 m (840 ft.) which translates to 5.58 m/cm (46.7 ft./in.) of letter height. The median legibility distance was 261 m (860 ft.), which translates to 5.72 m/cm (47.8 ft./in.) of letter height; but for the 85th percentile the signs were legible for 194 m (637 ft.), which translates to 4.24 m/cm (35.4 ft./in.) of letter height.