Citation

Pain RF, Knapp BG. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 703: 8-16.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study reported in this paper attempts to determine quantitatively the optimum design characteristics of channelizing devices. This was accomplished by performing a series of four laboratory studies. The following marking parameters were studied: (a) the design and configuration of stripes, (b) the width of stripes, (c) the color ratio of stripes, (d) the meaning of various design configurations, and (e) the detectability of visible areas (height to width combinations). For each of the experiments, 30 drivers recorded their detection and identification responses to stimulus slides, which were presented tachistoscopically. Data reduction consisted of analyses of a derived index score, which was a summary of the total response. The results allow some limited recommendations regarding channelizing: (a) optimal stripe width is a 20-or 15-cm (8- or 6-in) stripe for 15 cm or greater rails, (b) desirable ratio of white-to-orange coloring favors equal white to orange or more white, (c) optimal stripe design configurations are first vertical then horizontal, (d) chevrons connnote directional meaning to drivers, (e) vertical panels elicit better performance than horizontal bars or trapezoid shapes, (f) there was little useful difference between type 1 and type 2 barricades, and (g) a tall, narrow vertical panel image is recommended over a shorter, wider device.