A Proposed Method About the Design of Road Signs

Viganó, Roberto; Rovida, Edoardo · 2014 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1080/19439962.2014.902413

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Summary

This paper addresses the safety and comprehension challenges associated with textual inscriptions on road signs, particularly for foreign drivers who may not understand the local language. The authors argue that while road signs are designed to prepare drivers for upcoming hazards, complex or lengthy text can hinder rapid comprehension, especially at high speeds where reading time is limited to seconds. The study proposes a general method to translate these textual messages into universal graphical forms, leveraging the premise that graphical language can overcome linguistic and cultural barriers. The methodology is grounded in technical communication theory, analyzing road signs as structured sentences composed of operations, complements, and prepositions. The authors first identified common prepositions and their associated complements in existing signage. They then developed a translation strategy using two approaches: substituting text with known graphical symbols already present in traffic systems, and designing new symbols when existing ones were insufficient. For the latter, the authors applied a "methodical design" approach, utilizing an evaluation matrix to select the "best in class" symbol. This matrix assessed candidate symbols based on weighted characteristics such as simplicity, completeness, unambiguity, comprehensibility under poor visibility, and readability at distance. The results demonstrate the application of this method through various examples. The authors successfully translated common textual conditions, such as "in case of fog" or "except for authorized vehicles," into graphical equivalents. For instance, the concept of "fog" was translated by selecting a symbol that scored highest in the evaluation matrix, prioritizing readability and unambiguity. The study also addressed complex signs with multiple messages, proposing combinations of simple pictures (e.g., combining "exit," "men," and "slow drive" symbols) to convey detailed instructions. In cases involving cultural differences, such as the start of the week, the authors suggested visual cues like color-coding to ensure universal understanding. The significance of this work lies in its potential to standardize road signage comprehension globally without altering the existing structural framework of traffic signs. By replacing text with carefully selected graphical symbols, the method aims to reduce cognitive load and reaction time for drivers, thereby enhancing traffic safety. The authors conclude that while the proposed symbols require further testing with road users, the method provides a systematic, evidence-based approach to improving the clarity and universality of road communication.

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• signage environment