Chevron Signs Visibility and Its Performance Evaluation

Nora Sheda Mohd Zulkiffli; Nor Aznirahani Mhd Yunin; Akmalia Shabadin; Azzuhana Roslan; Hawa Mohamed Jamil; Nusayba Megat Johari

Nora Sheda Mohd Zulkiffli
Nor Aznirahani Mhd Yunin
Akmalia Shabadin
Azzuhana Roslan
Hawa Mohamed Jamil
Nusayba Megat Johari

Abstract

Enhanced road signs are essential for night-time driving and are made possible by the intervention of new sheeting materials with increased visibility features. Over the years, the Type XI Reflective Sheeting (Wide Angle Prismatic) was introduced and implemented with the aim to improve the visibility of road signs to drivers. However, even though visibility is said to be essential for night-time driving, previous studies have shown that visibility improvement may led to changes in road user behaviour. Thus, this study was initiated to evaluate driver’s reaction, in terms of speed and braking distance, towards chevron signs with different levels of visibility. This study was conducted on a curved road section in Port Dickson and adopted the before-and-after study method while taking into consideration of the daytime and night-time effect. Findings from this study revealed that chevron signs with higher level of visibility allowed drivers to identify the road signs at a far up distance, resulting in longer braking distance and higher driving speed. Thus, it is concluded that further understanding on the effect of visibility towards drivers is required in order to produce designs that will perform best at all the time.

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