The development of optimal on-premise Electronic Message Center (EMC) lighting levels and sign lighting measurement techniques.

Details

• Creators:
  Garvey, Philip M.
• Corporate Creators:
  Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Variable message signs
  • Illuminated traffic signs
  • Legibility
  • Field tests
  • Test procedures
  • Brightness
  • Periods of the day
  • Variable message signs--Lighting
  • Legibility (Printing)
  • Brightness perception
• Publication/ Report Number:
  PSU-2011-05
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final report.
• Corporate Publisher:
  Mid-Atlantic Universities Transportation Center
• Abstract:
  Research conducted recently for the United States Sign Council Foundation found no consensus in the research ; literature or the practices of the commercial electronic message center (EMC) industry on lighting measurement ; or appropriate lighting levels of on-premise EMCs, nor are there any national standards for EMC lighting levels ; developed through research at this time. It was clear that, in order to make them optimally legible during daytime ; hours and at night, the lighting levels of these EMCs must be (and typically are) adjusted automatically as a ; function of ambient light level. However, the procedures for measuring EMC light levels and the appropriate levels ; to set the signs during some daytime scenarios (e.g., dusk/dawn and overcast) and at night are inconsistent ; among the leading U.S. EMC manufacturers and are not supported by empirical, independent, human factors ; data. This has led to complaints of EMC’s being “over bright,” primarily at night, though this issue has also been ; reported during dusk and dawn hours and under overcast daytime conditions. The objective of this research was ; to begin addressing this situation by developing, through original field and test track research, EMC lighting levels ; that would optimize sign legibility at night from the prospective of a motorist who is viewing the EMC, and to ; develop standard light level testing procedures.
  More +
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  DTRT07-G-0003
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25705/dot_25705_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 157.79 KB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers ; US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:96843b2cdfcbd39e4e29628b9b57999c9c682f4abda5f418cbf43546f1ade901a925d9f4c5b87f65caea1634f8e5b95223fe74df65ff756a46a4aa78f084f4a9