This study was conducted to determine whether adding in-vehicle technology to vehicles resulted in increased driver awareness of motorcycles. The specific technology tested consisted of a warning light which illuminated on the vehicle’s instrument panel when the vehicle was near a motorcycle. The effect of motorcycle color on driver awareness was also explored. Participants were recruited to drive a highidelity driving simulator in a city environment. Eye-tracker data was collected and used to determine how much attention drivers paid to the motorcycles in the simulation. Results showed that the in-vehicle technology significantly increased driver awareness of motorcycles, but the color of the motorcycles had no impact on driver awareness.

In reduced speed zones, where no other cues indicate the need to slow down, drivers sometimes fail to notice the standard Speed Limit sign and may be speeding inadvertently. To help reduce inadvertent speeding, a red border was installed around the Speed Limit sign in seven reduced speed areas and the impacts of the increased conspicuity on speed limit compliance were measured. The general study approach was to collect and compare speed data for a standard sign (before condition) and a red border sign (after condition). The short-term effects of a modified red border sign, which was achieved by replacing the thin black border of the standard sign with a four inch wide red border, were evaluated at four sites. Results of this modified border study indicated that there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean speeds as well as in the 85th percentile speeds for the red border sign conditions, however the reductions were not practically significant. This study also evaluated the effect of using a higher conspicuity sheeting material at two sites. The results indicated that use of higher conspicuity sheeting has some benefits for the standard sign but no additional benefits for the red border sign. The added border study evaluated the long-term effects (approximately nine to eleven months after the treatment) of adding a three inch wide red border to the standard Speed Limit sign at three sites. The results of this study indicated that impacts of the red border treatment increase with passage of time. The mean speeds decreased by 8.1 percent and the percent of vehicles exceeding the speed limit (55 mph) decreased by 21.7 percent. The decreases in speeds were both statistically and practically significant. A comparison of the thesis study with other similar studies found in literature shows comparable benefits of the red border sign with other speed management measures. Based on the results for long-term effects, use of the red border Speed Limit sign is recommended in reduced speed zones where inadvertent speeding is common.

In reduced speed zones, where no other cues indicate the need to slow down, drivers sometimes fail to notice the standard Speed Limit sign and may be speeding inadvertently. To help reduce inadvertent speeding, a red border was installed around the Speed Limit sign in seven reduced speed areas and the impacts of the increased conspicuity on speed limit compliance were measured. The general study approach was to collect and compare speed data for a standard sign (before condition) and a red border sign (after condition). The short-term effects of a modified red border sign, which was achieved by replacing the thin black border of the standard sign with a four inch wide red border, were evaluated at four sites. Results of this modified border study indicated that there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean speeds as well as in the 85th percentile speeds for the red border sign conditions, however the reductions were not practically significant. This study also evaluated the effect of using a higher conspicuity sheeting material at two sites. The results indicated that use of higher conspicuity sheeting has some benefits for the standard sign but no additional benefits for the red border sign. The added border study evaluated the long-term effects (approximately nine to eleven months after the treatment) of adding a three inch wide red border to the standard Speed Limit sign at three sites. The results of this study indicated that impacts of the red border treatment increase with passage of time. The mean speeds decreased by 8.1 percent and the percent of vehicles exceeding the speed limit (55 mph) decreased by 21.7 percent. The decreases in speeds were both statistically and practically significant. A comparison of the thesis study with other similar studies found in literature shows comparable benefits of the red border sign with other speed management measures. Based on the results for long-term effects, use of the red border Speed Limit sign is recommended in reduced speed zones where inadvertent speeding is common.

Neste trabalho é analisada a retrorrefletividade (capacidade de um material permitir a visualização e a leitura de informações quando iluminadas pelo farol de um veículo), a conspicuidade (facilidade de chamar a atenção) e a legibilidade (facilidade de leitura de símbolos e palavras impressos) de placas de sinalização vertical de trânsito. A análise da retrorrefletividade foi feita mediante medições em laboratório com os materiais retrorrefletivos mais comumente utilizados na sinalização viária. A conspicuidade e a legibilidade foram analisadas em função do ambiente no qual está inserida a sinalização e o tipo de material retrorrefletivo utilizado. Considerando o fato de que as placas devem ter desempenho satisfatório tanto durante o dia como à noite, a conclusão é que as placas sem material refletivo não são recomendadas. Do ponto de vista estritamente técnico, as placas confeccionadas com materiais de maior retrorrefletividade são as mais indicadas. Cabe observar, no entanto, que os tamanhos das amostras utilizadas na elaboração dos experimentos sobre a conspicuidade e legibilidade não apresentam representatividade estatística em nível de significância adequado; razão pela qual os resultados obtidos devem ser vistos apenas como sinalizadores de tendências. / In this dissertation is analyzed the retroreflectivity (ability of a material to allow viewing and reading information when illuminated by the vehicle headlamp), the conspicuity (facility to get attention) and legibility (readability of printed words and symbols) plates in traffic sign. The analysis of retroreflection was made by laboratory measurements with retroreflective material most commonly used in road marking. Conspicuity and legibility were analyzed according to the environment the signal is inserted and the type of retroreflective material used. Considering the fact that the sign must have a satisfactory performance both during day and night, the conclusion is that the signs without reflective material are not recommended. From a strictly technical, the signs that use grater reflective material are the most suitable. It should be noted, however, that the samples sizes used in the experiments on the conspicuity and readability do not have a statistical significance level appropriate, and the results should be viewed only as trends indicators.

Neste trabalho é analisada a retrorrefletividade (capacidade de um material permitir a visualização e a leitura de informações quando iluminadas pelo farol de um veículo), a conspicuidade (facilidade de chamar a atenção) e a legibilidade (facilidade de leitura de símbolos e palavras impressos) de placas de sinalização vertical de trânsito. A análise da retrorrefletividade foi feita mediante medições em laboratório com os materiais retrorrefletivos mais comumente utilizados na sinalização viária. A conspicuidade e a legibilidade foram analisadas em função do ambiente no qual está inserida a sinalização e o tipo de material retrorrefletivo utilizado. Considerando o fato de que as placas devem ter desempenho satisfatório tanto durante o dia como à noite, a conclusão é que as placas sem material refletivo não são recomendadas. Do ponto de vista estritamente técnico, as placas confeccionadas com materiais de maior retrorrefletividade são as mais indicadas. Cabe observar, no entanto, que os tamanhos das amostras utilizadas na elaboração dos experimentos sobre a conspicuidade e legibilidade não apresentam representatividade estatística em nível de significância adequado; razão pela qual os resultados obtidos devem ser vistos apenas como sinalizadores de tendências. / In this dissertation is analyzed the retroreflectivity (ability of a material to allow viewing and reading information when illuminated by the vehicle headlamp), the conspicuity (facility to get attention) and legibility (readability of printed words and symbols) plates in traffic sign. The analysis of retroreflection was made by laboratory measurements with retroreflective material most commonly used in road marking. Conspicuity and legibility were analyzed according to the environment the signal is inserted and the type of retroreflective material used. Considering the fact that the sign must have a satisfactory performance both during day and night, the conclusion is that the signs without reflective material are not recommended. From a strictly technical, the signs that use grater reflective material are the most suitable. It should be noted, however, that the samples sizes used in the experiments on the conspicuity and readability do not have a statistical significance level appropriate, and the results should be viewed only as trends indicators.

Research has shown that riding a motorcycle can potentially be much more dangerous than operating a conventional vehicle. There are factors inherent in driving or riding a small two wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, moped or even bicycle that can potentially decrease their ability to be seen or noticed by other drivers. This disadvantage is reflected in the disproportionate over-representation of injuries and/or fatalities incurred by this particular driving group. This creates a significant problem which deserves dedicated evaluation as to causative factors and/or influential variables. The following research was conducted with intentions to investigate the topic of motorcycle conspicuity so as to further explain the variables which positively contribute to a motorcycle being seen and to supplement the body of knowledge that currently exists on this topic. This study specifically evaluated the influence of sex, age, motorcycle lighting conditions, and vehicular daytime running lights upon one's ability to effectively detect a motorcycle within a "high fidelity" simulated environment. This research additionally sought to examine the feasibility and validity of using a novel fixed base "high fidelity" simulator for the evaluation of motorcycle conspicuity. The results from this research clearly indicate a link between vehicular DRLs and the effective detection of motorcycles and also support previous research as to the effectiveness of motorcycle DRLs. Additionally, these results suggest that as one ages, certain degradations in vision, cognition, and physiology occur which decrease one's performance in detecting and responding to a motorcycle. These findings additionally provide support for the use of a "high definition" fixed base simulator as a valid technology for the evaluation of motorcycle conspicuity.

No description available.

This thesis documents Phase III of a research program undertaken by the Virginia Transportation Research Council and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in cooperation with the 3M Company and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the evaluation of visual performance of retroreflective signs of various color combinations. Phase I was an off-road field experiment conducted to determine the best sign color combination, letter stroke width, and letter size for the emergency sign. Based upon the results of Phase I, three color combinations were chosen for testing (black on coral, black on light blue, and yellow on purple) against a baseline color combination of black on orange.Phase II was conducted using an instrumented vehicle through a construction zone-related detour. Questionnaire data were also obtained. The independent variables of interest were sign color combination, age, and visibility condition. The findings of Phase II indicated that use of a color combination other than the traditional black on orange sign would improve driver performance and safety when used for trailblazing during critical incidents, especially when the incident route overlaps a work zone detour. A serious limitation of Phases I and II is that the use of fluorescent colors was not evaluated. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of fluorescent colors on signs improves their conspicuity. The purpose of Phase III was to evaluate fluorescent sign color combinations for incident management trailblazing purposes. This study consisted of an on-road investigation using an instrumented vehicle over a 12.2-mile route in urban and rural areas of Montgomery County, Virginia. The following conclusions were made:*A non-fluorescent yellow on non-fluorescent purple sign is least preferred by both older and younger drivers when compared to the other sign color combinations employed in this study.*Both younger and older drivers have a preference for a black on fluorescent yellow-green sign.* Fewer late braking maneuvers and fewer turn errors were recorded during daytime conditions than during nighttime conditions. *Older drivers tended to register more late braking maneuvers than did younger drivers. / Master of Science

Neste trabalho são analisadas a conspicuidade (impacto visual), a estética e a harmonia com o meio ambiente dos principais sinais verticais de trânsito na área urbana. A análise é realizada com base nas respostas de questionários aplicados a grupos de pessoas (sujeitos), utilizando o método de comparação aos pares, da psicofísica. A pesquisa se concentrou nos seguintes sinais de regulamentação: sinal vertical de parada obrigatória, sinal vertical de sentido de circulação de via, sinal vertical de lombada, e no sinal de orientação de indicação de lugares. No caso dos sinais de regulamentação foram investigadas as seguintes características: tamanho da placa, largura do suporte e cor do suporte. No sinal de indicação de lugares, foram investigadas a cor do fundo da placa e a cor da estrutura de sustentação. No que concerne ao sinal de parada obrigatória, a pesquisa aponta como mais indicados uma largura da placa de 80 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor vermelha ou branca. Quanto ao sinal de sentido de circulação de via, as características mais indicadas são: largura da placa entre 60 e 70 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor vermelha. Em relação a placa de lombada, as características mais indicadas são: largura da placa de 80 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor preta. No que diz respeito de indicação de lugares, a pesquisa aponta como mais indicadas as seguintes características: cor da placa azul (distinta da cor verde regulamentada pelo Código de Trânsito Brasileiro) e suporte de sustentação da placa de cor verde (cor regulamentada pelo código do país) na cor preta ou verde. A comparação de alguns dos resultados encontrados no trabalho com aqueles obtidos em outras pesquisas mostram grande conformidade. Cabe ressaltar, contudo, que os resultados obtidos no trabalho devem ser vistos como tendências, pois o tamanho e a estratificação das amostras não satisfazem os requisitos para que os resultados tenham confiabilidade estatística. / In this work the conspicuity (visual impact), aesthetic and the environment harmony of the main traffic signs in the urban area are analyzed. The analysis is performed based on questionnaires answers applyed the groups of people (subjects), using the psychophysics method of comparison in pairs. The research is focus in the following traffic signs: regulatory signs - stop sign, one way sign - , speed bump warning sign and guide signs. In the case of the regulatory and warning signs the next attributes had been investigated: size of the sign, width and color of the support. In guide sings, the ground color sign and structure color had been investigated. About stop sign, the research points as more indicated a sign width of 80 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and red or white color. Concerning on one way sign, the pointed out characteristics are: sign width between 60 and 70 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and red color. In relation the speed bump warning sign, the more indicated characteristics: sign width of 80 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and black color. About guide sings, the research indicates as more indicated the following featuress: blue color to the sign ground (distinct of the green sing regulated by the brazilian traffic code) and black or green color to sustentation structure of the green color sign (color regulated by country laws). The comparison of some results found in the work with those gotten in other early research shows a great conformity. Its important to highlightes, however, that the results gotten in the work must be seen as tendencies, because the sample size and stratification does not satisfy the requirements to the trustworthiness statistics results.

Neste trabalho são analisadas a conspicuidade (impacto visual), a estética e a harmonia com o meio ambiente dos principais sinais verticais de trânsito na área urbana. A análise é realizada com base nas respostas de questionários aplicados a grupos de pessoas (sujeitos), utilizando o método de comparação aos pares, da psicofísica. A pesquisa se concentrou nos seguintes sinais de regulamentação: sinal vertical de parada obrigatória, sinal vertical de sentido de circulação de via, sinal vertical de lombada, e no sinal de orientação de indicação de lugares. No caso dos sinais de regulamentação foram investigadas as seguintes características: tamanho da placa, largura do suporte e cor do suporte. No sinal de indicação de lugares, foram investigadas a cor do fundo da placa e a cor da estrutura de sustentação. No que concerne ao sinal de parada obrigatória, a pesquisa aponta como mais indicados uma largura da placa de 80 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor vermelha ou branca. Quanto ao sinal de sentido de circulação de via, as características mais indicadas são: largura da placa entre 60 e 70 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor vermelha. Em relação a placa de lombada, as características mais indicadas são: largura da placa de 80 cm, suporte com largura de 12,5 cm e cor preta. No que diz respeito de indicação de lugares, a pesquisa aponta como mais indicadas as seguintes características: cor da placa azul (distinta da cor verde regulamentada pelo Código de Trânsito Brasileiro) e suporte de sustentação da placa de cor verde (cor regulamentada pelo código do país) na cor preta ou verde. A comparação de alguns dos resultados encontrados no trabalho com aqueles obtidos em outras pesquisas mostram grande conformidade. Cabe ressaltar, contudo, que os resultados obtidos no trabalho devem ser vistos como tendências, pois o tamanho e a estratificação das amostras não satisfazem os requisitos para que os resultados tenham confiabilidade estatística. / In this work the conspicuity (visual impact), aesthetic and the environment harmony of the main traffic signs in the urban area are analyzed. The analysis is performed based on questionnaires answers applyed the groups of people (subjects), using the psychophysics method of comparison in pairs. The research is focus in the following traffic signs: regulatory signs - stop sign, one way sign - , speed bump warning sign and guide signs. In the case of the regulatory and warning signs the next attributes had been investigated: size of the sign, width and color of the support. In guide sings, the ground color sign and structure color had been investigated. About stop sign, the research points as more indicated a sign width of 80 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and red or white color. Concerning on one way sign, the pointed out characteristics are: sign width between 60 and 70 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and red color. In relation the speed bump warning sign, the more indicated characteristics: sign width of 80 cm, support width of 12,5 cm and black color. About guide sings, the research indicates as more indicated the following featuress: blue color to the sign ground (distinct of the green sing regulated by the brazilian traffic code) and black or green color to sustentation structure of the green color sign (color regulated by country laws). The comparison of some results found in the work with those gotten in other early research shows a great conformity. Its important to highlightes, however, that the results gotten in the work must be seen as tendencies, because the sample size and stratification does not satisfy the requirements to the trustworthiness statistics results.