Evaluation of Symbolic Public Information Signs

Abstract

In a series of four experiments, symbolic representations of eight public information messages were evaluated in an attempt to identify the relative adequacy of each symbol Four versions of each message were examined using measures of legibility distance, comprehension, preference, and glance legibility. Significant positive correlations were found among the first three measures. An efficiency index was employed as an overall measure of the effectiveness of individual symbols, and recommendations were made concerning their future use.