Simulator study on the effects of sign typology, distraction and time on driving

Abstract

A simulator study was conducted to determine the effect of three different speed indications (traditional signs C43/C45, zone signs F4a/F4b and a zone-repetition sign) and time on speeding behaviour. Above this, the effect of distraction on driving behaviour and the interaction with signs was investigated. It was proved that one drove slower when one was distracted and one was less time and distance out of the lane. More important, it was proved that as time went by, there was a difference between the three types of sign. One drove more or less the same speed in the traditional indication, while the speed increased in the zone indication (linear effect) and the repetition sign seemed to be efficient (cubic effect; decrease in speed after the sign and after the next intersection, again, an increase in speed).