NTL Record

Title Diagrammatic Guide Signs for Use on Controlled Access Highways. Vol III. Traffic Engineering Evaluation of Diagrammatic Guide Signs, Part 2. The I-495 (Capital Beltway)/I-70S Field Study
Record ID 57441
Personal Name
Creator
Kolsrud, Gretchen S.
Corporate Creator Biotechnology, Inc.
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Federal Highway Administration. Traffic Systems Division
Publisher United States. Federal Highway Administration
Publication Date 19721200
Language English
Abstract The purpose of the diagrammatic signing research project was to develop warrants and standards for the use of diagrammatic guide signs on controlled access highways. Volume III of this report is published in 4 bound books-1 book for each of its 3 parts, plus 1 book containing appendixes to part 2. Part 2 contains the detailed description of a large-scale before/after field study, comparing the relative effectiveness of diagrammatic and conventional signing. It presents the approach, methods (traffic evaluator system or TES, time-lapse photography, and motorist questionnaires) as well as results. The 3 appendixes to part 2 are in a separate book (rd-73-25). Part 1 of Vol. III. (RD-73-23) is a guide to and summary of part 2. Part 3 (RD-73-26) presents review of other work, conclusions, and other discussion. Research findings obtained under the project indicate that drivers require more time to read and interpret information on diagrammatic signs in comparison with conventional signs. Moreover, as the graphic component on the sign becomes more complex, driver information interpretation time increases. Accordingly, in those cases where diagrammatic signs have been recommended, the standards specify that simple graphic designs must be used. Research results clearly indicate that diagrammatic guide signs will produce a benefit to motorist performance at interchanges where traffic must exit to the left of the through route. Such interchanges include major forks where exiting traffic must take the left fork. Also included are interchanges where there is a single left exit from the roadway and where there is a left exit in combination with a right exit.
Rosap ID dot:30073
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/30073
TRT Terms Physical access control; Diagrams; Driver performance; Drivers; Graphics; Guide signs; Information management; Left turns; Personnel performance; Signs; Silos
General Subjects Traffic signs and signals
Geographical
Coverage
Washington (District of Columbia)
Contract Number DOT-FH-11-7815
Report Number FHWA-RD-73-24
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/57000/57400/57441/diagrammaticguid00kols.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository