Road signs are standardised and do not provide specific information relevant to the place concerned. Frequently, the relationship between information given by signs and the real level of danger is inadequate; if this happens too often, road users may lose their confidence in road signs. Signs are directed at drivers and do not warn pedestrians, the largest group of road users. In view of the fact that many accidents of the same type occur at the same sites, the Traffic Engineering Bureau at Cracow produced a set of additional signs. These relate to places where there is: (1) a high probability of pedestrians being hit, (2) a high probability of rear end collisions, (3) a possibility of conflicts between trams and other vehicles. There are special signs warning of: people in wheelchairs; blind persons; old people with dogs and small children. It is found that the situation has much improved at 6 sites out of 11, no change at 4 sites and some deterioration at 1 site. A significant improvement (about 20%) due to signs warning of rear end collisions. Signs warning of trams were installed at one intersection. Before installation there were 19 accidents; in subsequent 2 year periods there were 3 and 9 accidents.
Abstract