Impact of fluorescent yellow/reen signs on the perception of road signage : South African eye-tracking study

Abstract

Road signs play a vital role in ensuring the safety of both motorists and pedestrians on roadways. They support the overall goal of creating a safer, more forgiving and self-explaining road environment. Among the various colours used for road signage, fluorescent yellow/green has emerged as an effective and attention-grabbing colour to highlight hazardous locations. Internationally, fluorescent yellow/green signage has become an indispensable tool in modern road safety efforts. However, it is currently not part of the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM), which is the guiding regulation for the application of road signs in South Africa. A study was conducted to measure the perception of fluorescent yellow/green (FY/G) signs using a drive lab and eye tracker to consider the measurement of the various perception variables for different genders and age groups. The results showed that the average fixation duration for the FY/G signs was higher compared to that of standard signs for all drivers, and females had a higher average fixation duration compared to males. The local and national governments can use these findings to make informed decisions regarding the implementation of standards that permit FY/G signs to be utilised.