Designing Safe Road Systems by Jan Theeuwes

Author:Jan Theeuwes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Limited
Published: 2012-04-13T04:00:00+00:00

Figure 7.8 Automated Incident Detection System on Dutch motorways

Figure 7.9 Example of reduced speed limits on Dutch motorways in air pollution sensitive areas

So-called ‘Berm DRIPs’ (roadside Dynamic Route Information Panels) are fully programmable electronic panels along the road that use a combination of symbols, pictograms and text (see Figure 7.10). With this type of provision it is a key issue to keep a good balance between what is technically possible and what can be properly handled by the road user. The configuration presented must coincide with the mental model the road user has from the network, and the level of detail presented requires a relatively long reading time and, consequently, huge signs along motorways. As it is implemented now, it does not meet the basic ergonomic principles as presented in the previous chapter. All the information that is given may confuse a driver who is not a frequent user of this network. For now, the information as presented may be only useful for drivers who regularly pass such a sign and have learned how to interpret the information given for their own individual situation.

The red-X is a recognized international symbol to indicate a lane closure and is understood well by 97 per cent of drivers according to Barten (2006). Unfortunately, in recent years, red-X non-compliance has risen, with an increased risk for people working on or at the side of a closed lane (emergency staff, road workers etc.). Increasingly, the red-X is also being used for lane control (for example rush-hour lanes) in situations where there is no physical blocking of the lane (see Figure 3.4). As reasons for the closure of a lane may differ, road users may form their own interpretation when relatively frequently confronted with the red-X for lane control, with a potential devaluation of the meaning of a red-X. From a human factors point of view it would be recommended to communicate these two reasons for lane closure through different symbols (Martens et al. 2010), for example with the symbol used in France (see Figure 7.11). This is an option worth examining in more detail for the Dutch motorway situation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.