Perception and recognition of traffic signs in relation to drivers characteristics and safety : a case study in Poland.

Driver communications systems are an important aspect of highway safety, and traffic control devices (TCDs) are an important part of the driver communications systems. The most prevalent of all TCDs are highway signs, and for effective traffic control it is essential that all drivers comprehend their meaning. As our world shrinks towards a global village, and as more and more of us criss-cross this 'village', variations in signing among countries, poor sign design, and different levels of familiarity with signs used in different countries may all impair communications with drivers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the scope of the problem by comparing sign comprehension of different driver groups in Poland, using signs from four countries from four continents. The Sign comprehension test consisted of a set of 31 colour pictures of highway signs. The results of this study demonstrate the urgent need for greater uniformity in highway sign design among countries, and greater emphasis on ergonomic principles in the design of new signs and redesign of existing signs. For the covering abstract see ITRD E122795.