The Relation between the Arrangements of the Information on the Sign and the Cognitive Levels of the Sign

The objective of this research is to quantify drivers' cognitive law of traffic guide sign layout at intersections. Previous studies have shown that traffic guide signs can reduce the travel efficiency, and even cause traffic crashes if the signs do not comply with drivers' cognitive law. 50 subjects (mean age = 37 years old, standard deviation = 11 years) were asked to (a) watch the experimental traffic sign shown by slides for a limited period of time, and then (b) mark the locations of the routes or destinations in the experimental road network based on their intuitive understanding of the sign. The results show that the arrangements of the information presented on the signs have a significant impact (p<; 0.05) on information understanding. The comprehension levels of route information ranged from 0.0% to 80.0%, and the comprehension levels of destination information ranged from 8.0% to 92.0%, with regard to different positions and orientations of information. The results reveal that comprehension levels of signs are improved when (a) the information position on the signs is consistent with the corresponding position within the real network, and (h) the arrangements of letters on the signs is also consistent with the moving direction of traffic.