Informing drivers about events and their location in Variable Message Signs: effects of words versus pictograms

Hernando, Ana (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Tejero, Pilar ; Roca, Javier ; Lucas-Alba, Antonio (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: With advancing road technologies and growing traffic complexity, a major challenge is to inform drivers through clear and concise messages. This study examines how drivers understand Variable Message Signs indicating the location of an event relative to a city. Four message designs were tested, resulting from two crossed factors: the event category was informed by either a word or a pictogram, and the location of the event was indicated by either a word or an arrow. Twenty-four drivers were asked to identify the message as quickly and accurately as possible. Compared to text: (1) for the event, pictograms led to faster (Mpictogram = 6112 ms; Mtext = 6338 ms) and more accurate (Rpictogram = 1.00; Rtext = 0.99) responses; (2) for the location, the arrow resulted in worse accuracy (Rarrow = 0.98; Rtext = 0.99) and response time (Marrow = 6261 ms; Mtext = 6189 ms). Text-pictogram combinations may constitute a functional strategy toward the harmonization and internationalization of road signage, although the effectiveness of specific combinations likely depends on how clearly each element conveys its meaning.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1775997

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Frontiers in Psychology 17 (2026), [10 pp.]
ISSN: 1664-1078

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S62-23D
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2019-106562GB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/UZ/270237

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Metod.Ciencias Comportam. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)
Área (Departamento): Área Psicología Básica (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)