The research of toucan crossing traffic light perception by road users

Cities are trying to improve bikers traveling conditions by adapting infrastructure to their needs, for example by expanding bike road network. This phenomenon leads to comfort improvement of bike usage and the growth of road safety level. On the other hand, it causes the increase of usage diversity of transport means, which are existing in transportation systems. Therefore readable, explicit and understandable information broadcasted by the traffic sings and road signals to all road users (drivers, pedestrians and bikers) is necessary to provide efficient functioning of transportation systems. The current size of the pictograms located on the traffic light shield and its localization is determined by provisions of the regulations of the Minister of Infrastructure. According to current regulations it is allowed to connect two signals: for pedestrians and for bikers in one signaling device in special situations, which are dictated by location (shared crossing for pedestrians and bikers). Described solution allows to apply one support element and one two-compartment signal device. In opposite situations it is necessary to place two-compartment signals devices placed on one or two support elements. Size of pictograms used in pedestrian-bike signal devices is very different in comparison to exclusively pedestrian or bike signal devices. Pedestrian symbol in toucan crossing signal device is about forty percent smaller in comparison to pictogram used in pedestrian signal device and bike template is thirty percent smaller than in normal bike signal device. toucan crossing devices displays two small symbols, which in some condition may not be read explicitly by individual road users. It might in fact cause risk situations. The perception by participants of traffic signals is an essential aspect. Displayed signals should: provide unambiguous information (without leaving space for interpretation) and be understood by all users (regardless of age and visual problems. Misinterpretation the symbol or its inaccurate understanding can lead to dangerous situations (the intrusion of pedestrians on the road). That is why it is so important in the context of an aging population in Europe to examine the perception of the quality of the signals transmitted to traffic participants. According to experts and road users, there is a problem of readable and explicit perception of the information provided by this traffic signal. This problem is an essential goal of the research presented in this article. In order to examine the quality of toucan crossing signal perception by road users, an extensive research in Katowice city was conducted. During the research, division by age and condition of health (problem with vision) was considered. Length of measurement time allowed to analyze changes in daylight and their influence on signal perception by road users. This paper is organized as follows: section one presents the legal conditions of toucan crossing signals usage, study of literature and examples of good practice. This is followed by next section, which describes the area on which analyze was conducted and elaborates on the research methodology. Afterwards, obtained results with detailed analysis are provided. Article ends with conclusions and discussion on currently used solution. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.