Citation

Knapp BG, Pain RF. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 703: 1-8.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper addresses three questions: (a) Does the flashing arrow board have more than one inherent meaning to the driver, according to the display configuration? (b) Can certain design characteristics of arrow boards be optimized to convey the desired message? and (c) Will certain operational characteristics of arrow boards optimize the communication of the display message? A threefold approach was taken: (a) a review of pertinent literature, (b) performance of some limited field studies, and (c) application of human factors expertise and judgments. The two experimental studies attempted to discern meanings associated with arrow-board configurations. Subject responses to film clips of arrow-board operations were gathered. The results indicate that the arrow board is strongly associated with lane closure and that the use of an on-off blinking arrow is favored over the sequencing chevrons or sequencing arrow stem followed by the stem plus head. Arrow-board design and operation can be manipulated and optimized as long as drivers can perceive a discrete, clear directional arrow as an indication of lane closure. Violation of this for other traffic management purposes leaves drivers uncertain as to exactly what their behavior should be. The following key recommendations are made: (a) the preferred operation of the arrow board is in the single on-off blinking arrow mode, (b) the blinking arrow should not be used as a cautionary display only, (c) 360 deg lens hoods should be used to cap dispersing light to passing drivers and to direct the flashing lights outward in a straight line perpendicular to the arrow board, (d) dimming of luminance could be upgraded to be more sensitive to inclement weather conditions and to begin dimming with lesser diminution of daylight, and (e) arrow boards should be placed at the beginning of the taper (construction zone).