Driver understanding of traffic signs

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess public understanding of selected traffic signs cUlTently in use in different roads in Dhaka city and, if appropriate, to develop specific rccommendations to improve understanding of these signs through education programs- - and/or changes in certain traffic signs. In this study, ."unde-rstanding" ~w~as assessed in terms of how well motorists could correctly identify the safety-related messages encoded in certain traffic signs. This assessment was accomplished through a review of previous research effOils and conducting a survcy of over 202J2haka_city motorists~ Forty-tw~ (42) signs were evaluated in the survey of drivers in Dhaka city. Thcse traffic signs consisted of twenty regulatory signs, seventecn warning signs, and five information signs. One self-administered questionnaire-type survey instruments were used in this study. This instrument consisted of fifty-four questions with multiple-choice responses in two parts. First part consists of 42 questions about traffic signs and second part consists of 12 questions about driver's personal information. The results from the multiple choice survey instruments indicate that most of the driver's in Dhaka city may not be understood the meaning or they are confused about the meaning of the following warning, regulatory and infonnatory signs encoded in the questionnaire (23 out of 42): Give way to traffic on major road or roundabout, No entry for vehicles, No vehicles over height shown, No parking, No stopping, Special speed limit, National speed limits apply, Tum left (right if reversed), Keep left (right if arrow reversed), Tum Icli ahead (right if an'ow reversed), T junction, Major road ahead (crossroads), Double bend first left (Right if symbol reversed), Sharp change of direction to the left. (Right if chevrons reversed), Two-way traffic crosses one-way road, Recommended route for pedestrians, cycles and rickshaws. Nan'ow bridge, Railway level crossing without gate or barrier, Location of railway crossing, Stop and Give Way, No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown, Sharp change of direction to the leli (Right if chevrons reversed), Tjunction (Tum leli or right only). However, the results of this research should be interpreted carefully, as many of the survey questions were designed to test understanding of specific aspects of the safety-related messages encoded in certain signs. The. study examined potential sources oJ_bias_in the sample data and the survey instruments. Differences in survey response rates by various socio-demographic groups i~_ the. s.all1ple~erc invcstigated. General recommcndations for improving driver's understanding of certain traffic signs are also presented.