Analysis of Road Sign-Related Factors Affecting Driving Safety with Respect to City Size

Abstract

With the increasing popularity of digital navigation systems and smartphones, the role of road signs during driving is gradually diminishing. However, owing to the inaccessibility of the technology to certain portions of the population, e.g., the elderly, and the risk of failure of communication networks, road signs continue to be an essential public tool to ensure driving safety. Although some research has been conducted on road sign-related topics, e.g., road sign recognition and image analysis, the comprehensive safety of road sign functions has not yet been researched. Accordingly, this study analyzed the factors of road signs affecting driving safety based on ordinal logistic regression analysis and derived their implications through a public survey. To improve driving safety, it is necessary to improve the intuitiveness of guide information (Daytime recognition (odds ratio): 1.547, Understanding of guide information: 1.222), select user’s necessary information (Sufficiency of guide information: 1.449) and provide variable information (Real-time guidance according to situation), establish a road guide system for various future mobility modes (Customized guidance for various forms of mobility: 1.112), and link and integrate with surrounding road facilities (Location/frequency adequacy: 1.128, Integrated installation of road facilities: 1.116).