Traffic control device evaluation program : FY 2016.

Brimley, Bradford K.; Carlson, Paul J. (Paul John), 1969-; Sunkari, Srinivasa R.; Park, Eun Sug · 2017 · ROSA P / Texas A&M Transportation Institute

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Summary

This report details findings from the Traffic Control Device Evaluation Program for fiscal year 2016, conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The study addresses three primary areas: the impact of sponsor logos on changeable message signs (CMS), the legibility of different font designs on full-matrix LED signs, and updates to worksheets for determining traffic signal preemption needs at railroad grade crossings. The research was motivated by the potential for transportation agencies to use sponsorship acknowledgments on CMSs to fund infrastructure, a practice currently restricted by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The first activity involved a closed-course evaluation of full-matrix color LED CMSs with 20 mm pixels. Thirty drivers traveled at 30 mph during both day and night conditions to assess sign legibility and the detection of roadway hazard objects (a box, tire, and deer). The study compared signs with and without sponsor logos occupying one-third of the display, across green, black, and blue backgrounds. The second activity evaluated nighttime legibility of three font variations: 16-inch letters, standard 18-inch letters, and a condensed 18-inch letter. The third activity updated a worksheet for calculating signal preemption time requirements at highway-rail grade crossings, aiming to simplify decision-making by providing default values and removing rarely used fields. Results from the sponsored CMS evaluation indicated that sponsor logos had little to no significant effect on sign legibility or hazard detection distances. When significant effects were observed, they were limited to specific sign types or logo placements. For instance, logo presence significantly affected legibility only for blue-background signs. Regarding hazard detection, the presence of the CMS and logos did not substantially impair the ability to detect objects placed before or after the sign. In the font evaluation, drivers could read messages with 18-inch letters from farther distances than those with 16-inch letters. However, when analyzed using the legibility index, all tested fonts hovered around the MUTCD-recommended minimum of 40 feet per inch of letter height, suggesting room for improvement in individual letter design. The updated preemption worksheet streamlined the process by incorporating default values and eliminating unnecessary fields. The study concludes that sponsor logos on CMSs do not significantly compromise driver safety or sign legibility, supporting the potential for expanded use of sponsorship acknowledgments if MUTCD guidelines are adjusted. The font analysis highlights that while larger letters improve absolute legibility distance, current designs meet minimum standards but may benefit from optimization. The revised preemption worksheet offers a more efficient tool for transportation agencies to determine signal timing requirements at railroad crossings. These findings provide empirical evidence to inform future policy decisions regarding CMS design and funding mechanisms.

Key finding

Sponsor logos on changeable message signs had little or no effect on sign legibility or object detection distances, and while larger fonts improved absolute legibility distance, all tested fonts met the minimum recommended legibility index.

Methodology

simulator

Sample size: 30

Provenance

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Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• sign visibility legibility
• signage environment
• visibility analysis litigation
• vehicle conspicuity
• external distraction
• emergency work zone conspicuity