Setting method of exit advance guide signs in mountainous expressway tunnel based on information quantization theory

Abstract

Driving behavior in expressway tunnels is more complicated than in common roadbed sections because of differences in illuminance, visual range, speed perception, and reaction time. To explore the setting method of exit advance guide signs in expressway tunnels and improve the effectiveness of drivers’ recognition of them, we propose 12 layout forms based on information quantification theory. In experiments, UC-win/Road was used to build a simulation scene, and the recognition reaction time of 12 element combinations of exit advance guide signs of different subjects was collected through an E-Prime simulation experiment. The loading effectiveness of the signs was analyzed based on the subjective workload and comprehensive evaluation scores of different subjects. The results are the following. The width of the exit advance guide sign layout in the tunnel is negatively correlated with the height of Chinese characters and the distance between the characters and the edge of the sign. The larger the height of Chinese characters and the distance between them and the edge of the sign, the smaller the maximum layout width of the sign. Considering the driver’s reaction time, subjective workload, sign recognition, amount of sign information, sign accuracy, and sign safety of 12 different information combinations, we suggest that exit advance guide signs in tunnels should be laid out as Chinese/English place name + distance + guide arrow.

Optimization of Underground Cavern Sign Group Layout Using Eye-Tracking Technology

“…Firstly, this study introduces a quantitative method to enhance the visual communication of sign group information in underground construction areas. However, previous research primarily focused on the basic elements of traffic signs to develop models quantifying sign information [27,91]. The aim is to assess the impact of individual traffic signs, with varying information quantities, on driver visibility in operational traffic tunnels.…”

“…Information quantification theory suggests that signs possess varying volumes of information based on their constituent elements, including color, word count, number of words, and boundary shape. These factors can affect the driver's ability to recognize a given sign [27]. The quantification of information thresholds for road signs can be achieved with the application of the information entropy framework, which is rooted in information theory [28].…”

“…The ADAs for different levels of information volume are shown in Figure 13. Existing related studies explore the efficiency of information processing from the perspective of the average duration of gaze behavior [27]. However, the existing studies exploring information processing capability from the perspective of average gaze duration are not comprehensive.…”

Evaluation of apparent effectiveness of safety sign group in underground cavern construction

“…Xie et al employed an orthogonal design method to create 16 scenarios, investigating the impact of route, traffic flow, and sign information on driver workload and performance safety in simulated driving experiments [5] . Shang et al proposed 12 arrangement forms based on information quantification theory to explore the method of setting highway tunnel exit warning signs and to improve the effectiveness of sign recognition by drivers [6] . Guo et al used the information entropy method for processing and quantification in the framework of information theory, analyzed the location of the advance guide sign (AGS) based on traffic flow theory and mathematical model of vehicle lane change, and proposed a multidimensional index of highway sign information threshold [7] .…”