EVALUATION OF COMBINED LANE-USE AND DESTINATION SIGN ALTERNATIVES FOR OVERHEAD-MOUNTED GUIDE SIGNS ON MULTILANE CONVENTIONAL ROAD INTERSECTION APPROACHES

摘要

This research project was designed to evaluate essential sign elements for combined lane-use and destination signing in order to determine which element, or combination of elements, was best in terms of comprehension by road users. The sign elements in this study were evaluated for overhead-mounted guide signs only, on multi-lane conventional intersection approaches. The research team identified existing standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for similar signs or related sign elements which may already be applied by states in order to communicate combined lane-use and destination signing. The team also identified any elements which may be relevant, but not yet included in the MUTCD. Based on this information, the following variables were selected for examination for combined lane-use and destination signing: lane designation, construction type, destination direction, arrow type, and vertical separator lines. Based on combinations of these variables, 18 experimental signs were developed. Most alternatives were well understood by research participants. Signs with single-lane designations were understood significantly more than signs with shared-lane designations. The study shows that when designing combined lane-use and destination signs for overhead-mounted guide signs on multilane conventional road intersection approaches, it is important to keep the amount of information and sign complexity low. This is especially true of shared lanes, where having multiple shared-lanes can be confusing to drivers. The study shows no difference in comprehension based on the vertical separator lines, arrow type, or construction type; however, there are situations where these designs can quickly become complex.