A nighttime, closed-course study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) involving standard traffic signs, traditional BlinkerSigns and new LegendViz® BlinkerSigns revealed there was “strong statistical evidence” that the LegendViz® BlinkerSigns increased sign legibility distance. They were also the most favored by participants in the study.
LegendViz® Sign Legibility Study
TTI Finds LegendViz® BlinkerSigns Increase Legibility Distance by Up to 267 Percent
SUMMARY
SITUATION
Low light conditions can negatively impact the legibility of traffic signs, reducing sign awareness and compliance. A 2018 survey of state and local traffic engineers revealed that 45 percent of respondents were seeking improved legend visibility at night.
This spurred TAPCO to develop the LegendViz® Traffic Sign, which features a non-flashing, LED-illuminated legend, and the LegendViz® BlinkerSign®, which features that same technology paired with flashing perimeter LEDs.
The objective of these signs is to improve sign legibility without the need for retroreflectivity or headlights, increasing situational awareness and enhancing transportation safety.
To quantify the effectiveness of this latest traffic sign innovation, TAPCO sought the research expertise of TTI. TTI conducted a closed-course, nighttime study to assess the legibility of the new LegendViz® BlinkerSign® in comparison to traditional types of signs.
Fifty percent of traffic deaths occur at night, despite just 25 percent of driving occurring at night, according to the National Safety Council.
STUDY
TTI conducted the study at the Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas with 31 participants. The study included three basic sign types:
Standard retroreflective static sign (standard)
Flashing red perimeter LED retroreflective sign (BlinkerSign®)
Flashing red perimeter LED and non-flashing white LED illuminated legend retroreflective sign (LegendViz® BlinkerSign®)
These three sign types were then divided into nine treatments, which were positioned differently to simulate real-life roadway circumstances.
The first six treatments were mock stop signs – a mix of standard signs, BlinkerSigns and LegendViz® BlinkerSigns – with varying legend texts. Through previous sign studies, TTI determined that participants often identify a red octagon as a stop sign before they read the legend. To ensure participants were truly reading the sign legend, a mix of TOPS, POST and POTS was used rather than STOP.
The mock stop signs were placed on either side of a simulated two-lane road 12 feet from the edgeline and mounted at a height of seven feet, replicating a standard stop sign layout (facing participants).
The last three treatments were wrong-way signs – one of each sign type – set up parallel to the simulated two-lane road 10 feet from the edgeline and mounted at a height of five feet, replicating a standard wrong-way sign layout (parallel to participants). The course also included distractor signs and numerous control sign installations.
Participants drove through the course at 30 mph at night, verbally announcing the text on each sign as soon as they could read it. Researchers documented the drivers' specific GPS coordinates upon successful comprehension of each sign. Additionally, after driving through the course, participants were asked two questions:
- Which type of sign do you feel helped you to best see the sign text?
- Which type of sign do you feel helped you the least to see the sign text?
"The lit up letters helped with reading angled signs."
A study participant
"Letters lit up helped me read the text."
A study participant
RESULTS
TTI concluded "with strong statistical evidence" that participants had increased legibility distances when approaching LegendViz® BlinkerSigns compared to the other sign types.
When placed on the left side of the road from the driver's point of view, LegendViz® BlinkerSigns provided a 207 percent increase in legibility distance over BlinkerSigns and a 90 percent increase over standard signs. When placed on the right side of the road from the driver's point of view, LegendViz® BlinkerSigns provided a 117 percent increase over BlinkerSigns and a 267 percent increase over standard signs.
In addition, sixty percent of participants responded that the LegendViz® BlinkerSigns helped them best read the signs, especially the older participants.
The results of this closed-course, nighttime study supported TAPCO’s original objective for the LegendViz® BlinkerSign®: offer better sign legibility in low light conditions and/or when vehicles' headlights and retroreflectivity are absent. TAPCO's BlinkerSigns have also been previously determined to increase conspicuity.
The two technologies paired together increase nighttime sign legibility by over 100 percent and, ultimately, improve safety for all road users.
Eighty-seven percent of participants 55 years and older said the LegendViz® BlinkerSign® helped them best see the sign text.
LEGENDVIZ® BLINKERSIGN®
Combine the proven conspicuity benefits of flashing perimeter LEDs with LED-illuminated sign legends — improving nighttime visibility.
ABOUT TAPCO
As an industry-leading innovator, TAPCO manufactures, services and distributes a wide portfolio of traffic and parking safety solutions designed to increase safe travels for all.
Since 1956, we have set the standard for delivering reliable, cutting-edge traffic safety enhancements. From our world-renowned line of LED-enhanced BlinkerSign® solutions to our pedestrian crossing products and early detection warning systems, safety is at the heart of all TAPCO innovations.
Working alongside traffic professionals for more than 60 years gives our team an exclusive perspective on the past, present and future needs of the traffic and parking safety industry.
Our industry experts and technical engineering team have the ability to customize any solution and quickly resolve complex problems.
Quality is ingrained in every process at TAPCO. We have a responsibility to serve you and your community with quality, long-last products that save lives.
We strive to create new, innovative solutions that help move the traffic industry forward and increase safe travels for all.
From designing, manufacturing and installing, we take pride in providing our customers with a turnkey traffic safety experience.