The objective of this French comparative experimental test carried out by CERC Marketing Company was to ascertain how Private Car (PC) drivers and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers evaluated different types of marks. Under real-life conditions, 36 'typical' zones were used containing different types of paint: either with bars or with "pimples" of differing heights and spacing. This paper briefly describes how the experimental survey was carried out among 248 PC and HGV drivers. It appears that pimple-type audible strips are excellent for private cars but inefficient for heavy goods vehicles. Their main effect on PC is a "noise in the head" which basically depends on the pitch between the rows of pimples and the vehicle speed. Audible strips with bars are more efficient for HGV, but must remain acceptable to PC. Their main effects are: (1) an audible effect; and (2) a vibrational effect. In addition, motorway companies have decided to generalize the use of high-relief marking, and intend to install 4300 km of this paint along the right-hand edge of French motorways within three years.
Samenvatting