Citation

Huchingson RD, Dudek CL. Transp. Res. Rec. 1978; 683: 4-5.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper discusses two laboratory studies of human factors that were conducted to evaluate candidate messages to be displayed on an advance-notice road sign. The sign would be used to direct drivers to tune their radios for reception of traffic information, particularly in incident or construction situations that necessitate route diversion. The first study was conducted in Los Angeles and investigated the meanings implied by each of ten candidate messages by use of an independent group design. The second study was conducted in College Station, Texas and investigated message preferences by use of the paired comparisons method. The combined results suggest the breifest message to adequately alert drivers to adjust their radios to obtain traffic information. When the design objective is to imply an urgency to tune to a radio frequency, the word alert is the most effective. Although the word radio implied from the advisory, the preference data support its inclusion. Omission of the word traffic can result in misunderstanding the message RADIO ALERT. Based on the two studies, RADIO TRAFFIC ALERT is recommended for this purpose. The advisory message may be understood effectively by simply stating: TURN TO (frequency number) "or TUNE DIAL TO (frequency number)."