SIGNS FOR ROADWORKS: EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL SIGNS

Distinctive black on yellow experimental signs and delineators were developed to improve safety at roadworks. Model signs were used to determine driver comprehension of proposed symbolic signface design. Experimental signs were based on international practice and subjected to full-scale field testing during reconstruction of a 9 km length of freeway at Pietermaritzburg. Traffic volumes and speeds were measured, driver behavior recorded and a driver opinion survey was undertaken. Conclusions were that the experimental signs provided greater visibility, quicker percetion and improved recognition by drivers. Further research should be directed at refinement of signface design, additional sign symbols for roadworks, and larger delineators on more secure stands.