Re-usability of traffic signs for inactive drivers with consideration of personal characteristics and sign features

There has been an increasing concern about inactive drivers who would easily lead to road accidents and fatalities once return to driving. This study investigated the re-usability of traffic signs for inactive drivers with consideration of driver factors and cognitive sign features. Fifty-seven Hong Kong Chinese, who possessed a full driving license but had not driven for an extended period, comprehended the meanings and rated the cognitive features of 21 traffic signs. The re-usability performance of participants who had not driven for at least a year was similar to those who had not been driving since obtaining driving license. The re-usability of traffic signs was better when the signs were familiar, concrete, simple and meaningful. To improve sign re-usability, designers should consider the cognitive sign features, provide direct and unambiguous visualization for underlying concepts, make better use of eye-catching design elements, and proper juxtaposition of similar pictorials in sign design.