Abstract
Nowadays, symbols are being displayed on variable message sign in expectation of improvement in readability of the message signs. However, it is pointed out that many of present symbols are not comprehended correctly. This study contrived new symbols expressing accidents, fires, fallen objects while taking the frequency and the priority into consideration. And this study set evaluation categories based on a definition of a graphical symbol in ISO. Evaluation categories are “legibility”, “comprehensiveness” and “appropriateness”. And this study compared new symbols and existing symbols by the indoor driving experiment and mentioned suitable graphical symbol for providing road information on with reference to the method of evaluation determined in JIS and ISO. As a result, this study acquired knowledge about suitable symbols for providing road information. For example, symbols expressing accidents which don't have detailed description and express a collision with the high occurrence frequency received high evaluations in terms of “legibility”, “comprehensiveness” and “appropriateness”.
