Visibility of durable fluorescent materials for signing applications

Abstract

Increasing visual complexity in the roadway environment is making the task qf driving a greater challenge.for the motorist. Recent advances make it possible to produce fluorescent retroreflective materials suitable for long-term outdoor signing applications. This article presents the results of ajield study investigating the relative advantage of fluorescent colors over standard colors for detection, color recognition, and conspicuity against a complex dark background. These,fluorescent retroreflective materials are detected with higherfrequency, and recognized with greater accuracy ut jirther distunces than the corresponding standard highway colors. They also have greater uttention-getting properties (more conspicuous) during daylight than the corresponding standard highway colors. The luminance contrast ratio of'lhe sample to the camouflage background appears to correlate with the visibility/conspicuity results obtained in this study, particular1.v within a given color series.

A Perceptual Analysis of Standard Safety, Fluorescent, and Neon Colors

“…Fluorescent colors have been shown to be more conspicuous in environmental signs than standard safety colors (Burns & Pavelka, 1995;Schieber et al, 2006); however, that research concerned outdoor signs. The present research shows that fluorescent colors produce high hazard and importance ratings in an office/laboratory setting with artificial lighting.…”

“…Fluorescent colors are starting to be used in environmental sign warnings. Fluorescent colors interact with ultraviolet (UV) light making them appear brighter, and thus more conspicuous, than non-fluorescents (Burns & Pavelka, 1995). However, little is known about their hazard connotation, or perceived hazard.…”

Effects of surrounding brightness on visual search for safety colors

“…The mean perceived hazard from highest to lowest was as follows: red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and white. Luximon et al 22 also investigated 88 Chinese subjects according to implied hazard levels of the same six color names as those used in Dunlap et al 20 The differences between the two studies are worthy of special mention. The Chinese subjects rated orange lower and their rating between orange and yellow had no significant difference.…”

Fluorescent Colored Stimuli Automatically Attract Visual Attention: An Eye Movement Study

“…Recent research, especially within the domain of traffic engineering and safety, has demonstrated the improved visual performance afforded by the use of fluorescent colored materials relative to their non-fluorescent colored equivalents. Fluorescent colored highway signs can be detected at significantly greater distances (Burns & Pavelka, 1995;Jenssen, et al, 1996) and yield better vehicular slowing and lane change behavior upon approaching roadway hazards (Eccles & Hummer, 2001). Evidence has also accrued that the use of fluorescent colored markings improves the conspicuity of emergency vehicles in traffic (Solomon & King, 1997).…”