Citation

Iii L, Lanman MH, Lum HS, Lyles RW. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 739: 45-50.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reports on an experiment undertaken to examine the relative effectiveness of roadside signs and vehicle markings for warning motorists about a slow-moving vehicle on the road ahead in a rural two-lane situation. In the experiment, a staged slow-moving vehicle was introduced into the traffic stream and data were taken on the reactions of motorists who overtook it. Samples of motorists were exposed to different combinations of roadside signs, vehicle markings, and types of slow-moving vehicles. The principal finding was that the use of standard four-way flashers is an effective device for reducing the hazards of the overtaking situation relative to reaction distance, speed reduction, and following characteristics. Although the effects of the roadside warning signs were positive in the vicinity of the sign placement (the slow vehicle could not be seen), there were no lasting effects relative to the actual overtaking maneuver.