- Email: [email protected]
A comparison of alternative symbolic warning signs for railway level crossings
appropriate set, out of 22 diagnostic messages and warnings. This system has been designed to be useful to two groups of physicians: (1) as a diagnostic aid to general practitioners and busy pediatricians not familiar with these complex methods of calculation, and (2) as a device, which saves time and repetitive calculations to specialised pediatric endocrinologists. 14.3.19 (84151)
Patterson, P.E., and Gabbard, C. Hydraulic transducer for assessing grip strength. Human Factors, 1982, 24.2, 245-247. An instrument for assessing grip strength and endurance is described. The instrument provides an alternative type of measurement, as compared with conventional dynamometers (e g, lever action dynamometers). It may be particularly useful for assessing the capabilities of handicapped workers.
Visual displays 14.3.20 (83894)
Cook, J.F., Moss, W.D., and Crawshaw, C.M. An evaluation of a radar display showing target aspect in colour. Journal of Navigation, 1982, 35.2, 339-348. An experiment is described in which colour-coded information concerning the aspect of target ships was provided in addition to a relative-motion radar display. This was compared with the normal relative-motion display alone, while a third condition used the normal true-motion display alone. The performance of 21 experienced seafarers on six exercises was assessed by five expert judges as an index of display effectiveness. The method of evaluation was found useful and practical, while user reports were shown to be inappropriate. No overall difference between the three displays was found; the reasons for this are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that training is required to gain the benefit of colour in a display. 14.3.21 (83895)
Cole, B.L., and Jacobs, R.J. A comparison of alternative symbolic warning signs for railway level crossings. Australian Road Research, 1981, 11.4, 37-45. Most level crossings have light traffic and good accident records and the only protection that can be justified in cost benefit terms is a system of warning signs. The Australian standard specifies a warning sign using the 'cross bucks' symbol which might not be correctly interpreted and might also be
confused with the crossroads warning sign. Wigglesworth, in a review of level crossing protection for the Ministry of Transport, Victoria, recommended the adoption of a train symbol. The UN protocol symbol is a steam train but steam trains are no longer used on scheduled railway services. However, a diesel train symbol does not have distinctive features easily adaptable to symbolic representation and such a symbol might not have an adequate legibility distance. This paper compares the two Australian Standard railway warning signs, a steam train symbol and two diesel train symbols. The criteria for evaluation are interpretability and legibility distance. Consideration is also given to what are the community stereotypes for a railway warning sign. It is concluded that the steam train symbol remains a community stereotype despite the rarity of steam trains, is likely to be correctly interpreted and has a long legibility distance.
This paper seeks to develop a heuristic that can be used by form designers during the design process. This heuristic is based on an analysis of the interaction between the form and those who use it (i e, complete it or administer it). The interaction is analysed in terms of the cognitive processes involved in dealing with the form (perception, memory, decision making, etc). This analysis also provides a framework for interpreting the available research literature. Detailed consideration of users' requirements shows that a multiplicity of design skills are needed for effective form design. This in turn has implications for the nature of the design process.
14.3.25 (83909)
Wright, P., Creighton, P., and Threlfall, S.M. Some factors determining when instructions will be read. Ergonomics, 1982, 2 5 . 3 , 2 2 5 - 2 3 7 .
Many consumer products are accompanied by written instructions. Epstein, J. This paper explores the relationship Informing the elderly. Information between the claims that people make Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 1 5 - 2 3 5 . about reading these instructions and a number of other factors, including the This paper reports an investigation characteristics of the product, the age into the provision of information on of the consumer and the consumer's social benefits and services to the elderly. It was found that most agencies attitude to the product. Six product categories are examined ranging from rely heavily on leaflets. A selection of complex electrical items such as these Were evaluated and most were found to be difficult, dull and confusing; videotape recorders to simple familiar a survey of elderly people revealed that products such as fish fingers. It is shown few could recall seeing them, and few that product category is one of the professionals used them. The survey determinants of people's willingness also showed that the most houseto read instructions. The age of the bound were the least well-informed consumer was found to have no and contact with family, friends, predictive value, but the consumer's doctors and social workers did not assumptions about the simplicity of improve matters. One conclusion was operation strongly determined whether that much money is spent on the instructions would be read. information which is seen by just a few. Attitudes concerning familiarity, safety and cheapness of the product did not correlate with claims about reading 14.3.23 (83907) instructions, but people claimed to be Wendt, D. less likely to read the instructions of Improving the legibility of textbooks: products used frequently. The Effects of wording and typographic imphcations of these data for design. Visible Language, 1982, 16.1, manufacturers are discussed. 88-93. 14.3.22 (83899)
It has been demonstrated that the success achieved in a previous study by means of a 'visualised' version of a physics textbook lesson was not so much due to typographic changes as to changes in wording that were necessary to fit the text into the new format. These changes in wording are further analysed. 14.3.24 (83908)
Wright, P. Informed design for forms.
Information Design Journal, 1981, 2.3-4, 151-178.
14.3.26 (84163)
Klare, G.R. Readability indices: Do they inform or misinform? Information Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 5 1 - 2 5 5 . This paper discusses recent criticism of readability formulae, in this issue of IDJ and elswhere; the author points to evidence in their favour and focuses on three aspects of their application: when, how and why. He distinguishes between the valid use of formulae to predict reading difficulty and the invalid use to produce clear writing.
Applied Ergonomics September1983
223
Patterson, P.E., and Gabbard, C. Hydraulic transducer for assessing grip strength. Human Factors, 1982, 24.2, 245-247. An instrument for assessing grip strength and endurance is described. The instrument provides an alternative type of measurement, as compared with conventional dynamometers (e g, lever action dynamometers). It may be particularly useful for assessing the capabilities of handicapped workers.
Visual displays 14.3.20 (83894)
Cook, J.F., Moss, W.D., and Crawshaw, C.M. An evaluation of a radar display showing target aspect in colour. Journal of Navigation, 1982, 35.2, 339-348. An experiment is described in which colour-coded information concerning the aspect of target ships was provided in addition to a relative-motion radar display. This was compared with the normal relative-motion display alone, while a third condition used the normal true-motion display alone. The performance of 21 experienced seafarers on six exercises was assessed by five expert judges as an index of display effectiveness. The method of evaluation was found useful and practical, while user reports were shown to be inappropriate. No overall difference between the three displays was found; the reasons for this are discussed and the conclusion is drawn that training is required to gain the benefit of colour in a display. 14.3.21 (83895)
Cole, B.L., and Jacobs, R.J. A comparison of alternative symbolic warning signs for railway level crossings. Australian Road Research, 1981, 11.4, 37-45. Most level crossings have light traffic and good accident records and the only protection that can be justified in cost benefit terms is a system of warning signs. The Australian standard specifies a warning sign using the 'cross bucks' symbol which might not be correctly interpreted and might also be
confused with the crossroads warning sign. Wigglesworth, in a review of level crossing protection for the Ministry of Transport, Victoria, recommended the adoption of a train symbol. The UN protocol symbol is a steam train but steam trains are no longer used on scheduled railway services. However, a diesel train symbol does not have distinctive features easily adaptable to symbolic representation and such a symbol might not have an adequate legibility distance. This paper compares the two Australian Standard railway warning signs, a steam train symbol and two diesel train symbols. The criteria for evaluation are interpretability and legibility distance. Consideration is also given to what are the community stereotypes for a railway warning sign. It is concluded that the steam train symbol remains a community stereotype despite the rarity of steam trains, is likely to be correctly interpreted and has a long legibility distance.
This paper seeks to develop a heuristic that can be used by form designers during the design process. This heuristic is based on an analysis of the interaction between the form and those who use it (i e, complete it or administer it). The interaction is analysed in terms of the cognitive processes involved in dealing with the form (perception, memory, decision making, etc). This analysis also provides a framework for interpreting the available research literature. Detailed consideration of users' requirements shows that a multiplicity of design skills are needed for effective form design. This in turn has implications for the nature of the design process.
14.3.25 (83909)
Wright, P., Creighton, P., and Threlfall, S.M. Some factors determining when instructions will be read. Ergonomics, 1982, 2 5 . 3 , 2 2 5 - 2 3 7 .
Many consumer products are accompanied by written instructions. Epstein, J. This paper explores the relationship Informing the elderly. Information between the claims that people make Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 1 5 - 2 3 5 . about reading these instructions and a number of other factors, including the This paper reports an investigation characteristics of the product, the age into the provision of information on of the consumer and the consumer's social benefits and services to the elderly. It was found that most agencies attitude to the product. Six product categories are examined ranging from rely heavily on leaflets. A selection of complex electrical items such as these Were evaluated and most were found to be difficult, dull and confusing; videotape recorders to simple familiar a survey of elderly people revealed that products such as fish fingers. It is shown few could recall seeing them, and few that product category is one of the professionals used them. The survey determinants of people's willingness also showed that the most houseto read instructions. The age of the bound were the least well-informed consumer was found to have no and contact with family, friends, predictive value, but the consumer's doctors and social workers did not assumptions about the simplicity of improve matters. One conclusion was operation strongly determined whether that much money is spent on the instructions would be read. information which is seen by just a few. Attitudes concerning familiarity, safety and cheapness of the product did not correlate with claims about reading 14.3.23 (83907) instructions, but people claimed to be Wendt, D. less likely to read the instructions of Improving the legibility of textbooks: products used frequently. The Effects of wording and typographic imphcations of these data for design. Visible Language, 1982, 16.1, manufacturers are discussed. 88-93. 14.3.22 (83899)
It has been demonstrated that the success achieved in a previous study by means of a 'visualised' version of a physics textbook lesson was not so much due to typographic changes as to changes in wording that were necessary to fit the text into the new format. These changes in wording are further analysed. 14.3.24 (83908)
Wright, P. Informed design for forms.
Information Design Journal, 1981, 2.3-4, 151-178.
14.3.26 (84163)
Klare, G.R. Readability indices: Do they inform or misinform? Information Design Journal, 1981, 2 . 3 - 4 , 2 5 1 - 2 5 5 . This paper discusses recent criticism of readability formulae, in this issue of IDJ and elswhere; the author points to evidence in their favour and focuses on three aspects of their application: when, how and why. He distinguishes between the valid use of formulae to predict reading difficulty and the invalid use to produce clear writing.
Applied Ergonomics September1983
223