Comprehension and Training of International Road Signs

Abstract

Interest in cross-cultural traffic signs is in part motivated by the increase of motorists driving in foreign countries. This study investigated comprehension levels of 100 international road signs and the effect of brief sign training with the associated referent (sign meaning) on subsequent comprehension. Using open-ended questions U.S. drivers were tested on their ability to correctly report the meaning and action associated with various international road signs. Later they were exposed to the textual referent in a brief 5 minute training exercise. Following the training exercise, comprehension was retested. For many signs initial comprehension levels were low and critical confusions (serious errors) were high. However, after a brief training session comprehension levels dramatically improved. The results indicate that U.S. drivers may have difficulty understanding traffic signage outside of the U.S. To some extent training of the sign meanings might counteract low comprehension and high critical confusions. More extensive training or redesign may be needed to ensure U.S. drivers understand particularly highly signs.

Assessment of Traffic Sign Comprehension Levels among Drivers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE

“…This result can be considered as an improvement on the earlier study which found a 56% average performance in the comprehension of traffic signs, and 62% for the UAE in particular [11]. Similar studies showed that drivers could not comprehend a large percentage of the road signs presented to them [12]. In Turkey, participants correctly identified 81% of the signs presented [13].…”

“…They attribute the poor performance to the manner in which drivers are licensed and the laxity of the assessments. Similar studies carried out in the United States by Ward et al [12] also found that drivers could not comprehend a large percentage of the international road signs they were presented. In Turkey, Yakut [13] found that on average, participants correctly identified 81% of the signs presented.…”

Comprehension Analysis of Traffic Signs by Drivers on Urban Roads in Ilorin, Kwara State

“…As revealed in the table, there were no significant relationship between the gender and their understanding of the traffic signs However, when it comes to driving experience, the chi-square value showed that there is evidence to support the statistical and significant relationship between the driving experience and understanding of traffic signs 2 (6) = 18.143, p − value < 0.05. This, in real sense, denoted that driver with lot of driving experience have the ability to understand and master the traffic signs than those with less driving experience [16][17][18].…”