The Human Factors of Transport Signs

Published:
April 14, 2004 by CRC Press - 280 Pages
Editor(s):
Candida Castro, Universidad de Granada, Spain; Tim Horberry, MISHC, SMI, University of Queensland, Australia

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Hardback
$139.95
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ISBN 9780415310864
Cat# TF1688
 

Summary

The ubiquitous nature of transport signs on roadways, railways, and in airports can lead to an overload of visual information, yet little research has been done to understand the design and use of such signs from a driver’s perspective.

The Human Factors of Transport Signs explores key transport sign research and examines new technologies that are revolutionizing signaling. While concentrating largely on the road environment and general signing issues, the authors also address specific railway and other transport modality topics. International contributors discuss driver psychology and interaction with transport signs as well as the strengths and weaknesses of different types of signs.

This text is designed to be an easily-accessible information source for professionals in transportation design, highway engineering, applied psychology, and human factors, as well as for students preparing to enter these fields.

Features:

  • Summarizes the main findings about transport signs into an easily-accessible resource
  • Covers transport signs in the road, rail, and aviation fields
  • Reviews new technology in the field, including Variable Message Signs and Intelligent Transport Systems
  • Discusses the main evidence detailing the interaction of transport signs and driver behavior

    • Table of Contents

    A Gentle Introduction to Transport Signs and an Overview of the Structure of  This Book. Transport Signs Effectiveness. The Main Types of Transport Signs. Different Methods of Signalisation in the Transport Environment. Railway and Subway Signing. Maritime Aviation and Mining Signing. Visual Factors Involved in Recognition of Transport Signs and Illumination. Attentional and Motivational Factors Involved in Recognition of Transport Signs. Driver Fatigue and Transport Signs. Siting and Mounting, Sign Clutter, Maintenance and Restoration of Road Signs. Making Up Signs: Materials For Sign Construction. Transport Sign Legislation. Product Liability and Standardisation. Education and Transport Signs. Design and Aesthetic Issues With Respect to Transport Signs. Overall Conclusions.

    Editorial Reviews

    “Supported with citations, historical references, and empirical evidence, the content is a good primer for academics, stakeholders, and practitioners. … a new work that targets the human factors practitioner as well as transport signage stakeholders. Readers are invited to ponder both present-day and future challenges in the evolving transportation paradigms. … Chapters are organized in reference to end users, design, development, and deployment as well as to the obvious domain categories such as railroad, airport, and motorway signage. … Readers should become excited at the opportunities for signage improvement suggested by this book. …  ”
    — Mahmoud El-Darwish, in Ergonomics in Design, Vol. 17, No. 1, Winter 2006
    “It gathers and presents information relating to aspects of human behaviour that are already accessible within other disciplines but that have not been specifically pulled together in relation to the topic of transport signs. The authors provide logical and clear discussions on human behaviour in both leisure and business settings and in terms of roads, rail and aviation. …this publication is a comprehensive and effective source of information relating to the design and installation of transport signs.”
    —Céline McKeown, Ergonomics, Vol. 49, No. 4, March 2006

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