Abstract
This experiment investigated the effects of word and symbol signs on reaction time and accuracy of response. In addition, a proposed symbol sign, “SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD,” was evaluated using the same criteria. A tachistoscope was used to present the visual stimuli for a viewing time of 200 milliseconds.
Two sets of conditions were used in the experiment. The first part consisted of a group of subjects that possessed no prior knowledge of/or special education in symbol highway signs. The second part involved a control group who received special training concerning the meaning of symbol highway signs.
The stimuli were presented to 20 subjects (both male and female) aged 19 to 45, whose driving experience ranged from 3 to 29 years. The average miles driven per year varied from 1,000 to 20,000 miles.
A three factor analysis of variance fixed effect model was used to analyze the data. The main factors of the model consisted of two levels of stimuli (word versus symbol signs), two levels of test conditions (prior knowledge versus no knowledge), and ten levels of different signs (traffic signs).
Based upon the analysis of variance results, it was found that symbol signs do convey more accurate identification of road information than do word signs. However, it was not possible to conclude that symbol signs require less time to react to than word signs. The results of this investigation confirmed that neither the word or symbol “SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD” sign effectively convey the proper message.
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