TASK
Project 2: Data Collection
During these weeks, we were assigned to collect data and do
further research and analyzation for our project that is
relevant to our chosen theme.
Because we were told to create
informational TikTok videos later on, we have decided
to explore the basic knowledge of traffic signs in general
and then plan out both a qualitative and a quantitative
research regarding our topic. For the background research,
we explored the history of traffic signs and how they are
made.
A. BACKGROUND RESEARCH
Fig. 3.1, Text-based traffic signs
Traffic congestion isn’t just about bad driving, it’s
also about how we interpret road signs. Sometimes they are not as effective as they should
have been.
Historically,
traffic signs have existed for centuries. In Ancient Rome, milestone markers were placed along
roads to guide travelers. These were the earliest road
signs. But the real transformation came with automobiles. As
cars became more common, standardized traffic signs became a
necessity. In 1949, the Geneva Convention helped create
international road sign standards, prioritizing symbols over
text for universal understanding.
Fig. 3.2, Ancient Rome's milestone markers
Studies show that
90% of information processed by the brain is visual,
and visuals are recognized 60,000 times faster than text.
Traffic signs are a vital part of road safety, but how is it
instinctively understood regardless of language is due to
the study of semiotics. Semiotics is the study of signs and
symbols and how they create meaning. It plays a crucial role
in design, advertising, and, most importantly, traffic sign
communication.
Fig. 3.3, Human's visual recognition
Traffic signs are designed for instant recognition.
Instead of relying on text, they use color, shape, and
symbols to convey information efficiently.
However,
text-based traffic signs can create challenges. For
example, the Indonesian sign “Belok Kiri Jalan Terus”
(Turn Left, Continue Straight) relies entirely on language, which can be problematic for:
1. Fast-moving drivers who have little time to read.
2.
Foreign visitors unfamiliar with the language.
3.
Cognitive overload, making processing slower.
Symbol-based designs are a more effective way
to communicate towards drivers, such as:
1. Arrows replace text for immediate understanding.
2.
Color coding removes ambiguity.
3. Minimal text
improves visibility and processing speed.
Semiotics in traffic design isn’t just about
efficiency, it’s about road safety. By refining
traffic signs, we create a safer, more accessible driving
experience for everyone. Which is why
a visualization of the “Belok Kiri Jalan Terus” sign would
be an improvement
on our everyday life, as it is an everyday design.
For example, the STOP sign is an octagon—its
unique shape demands attention. Combined with the
color red, which signals urgency, it ensures an
immediate reaction before the driver even
reads the word 'STOP.'
Different shapes and colors have distinct meanings:
Fig. 3.4, The meaning to traffic sign colors
- Yellow = Warning
- Blue = Information
-
Red = Mandatory Action
This system ensures that even in low visibility,
drivers can recognize a sign’s meaning at
a glance.
But despite these advancements,
some traffic signs remain unclear or inconsistent,
contributing to
congestion and unsafe driving behaviors. The commonly
used text signs such as “belok kiri jalan terus” continues
to be confusing for many.
The improvement of road signs could involve
more
intuitive designs, better visibility, and even digital
adaptability.
After going through the background research of this
project, we proceed on to the next step, which is
data collection from outside sources, which includes
interviews and surveys. For the interview, we decided
to ask several questions to
a set of students regarding the topic of traffic.
Moreover, we also interviewed an expert to give
insight on this as well. The expert we interviewed is a
driving instructor that is extremely knowledgeable on
traffic signs which would help greatly for us to proceed
with the project.
B. ONLINE SURVEY
Questions:
1. Which country are you from?
2. Are you a driver? Do
you have a drivers license?
3. Do you have these signs
in your country?
4. Can you effortlessly tell what
these signs are saying if you read it from afar?
5. Do
you think humans process images faster than text?
6. If
pictogram signs were applied in exchange of text signs, will
it be more recognizable and easier for you as a driver to
recognize?
Fig. 3.5, Survey question and answer 1
Fig. 3.6, Survey question and answer 2
Fig. 3.7, Survey question and answer 3
Fig. 3.8, Survey question and answer 4
Fig. 3.9, Survey question and answer 5
Fig. 3.10, Survey question and answer 6
From the online survey we conducted, here are the summarized results:
The online survey, which collected responses from 31 participants, primarily consisted of individuals from Indonesia (67.7%), followed by Malaysia (29%) and the United States (3.2%). The majority of respondents (71%) indicated that they are drivers and possess a driver's license, reinforcing the relevance of their insights in the context of driving habits and traffic signage comprehension.
An overwhelming majority (96.8%) confirmed that they have similar types of traffic signs in their country, which strengthens the generalizability of the survey results. When asked about sign readability, only 38.7% said they could effortlessly understand text-based signs from afar, while 61.3% found it difficult; highlighting the need for clearer alternatives.
Furthermore, a significant 90.3% of participants agreed that humans tend to process images faster than text, supporting the idea of using pictogram signs for better comprehension. This fact was further emphasized by the 80.6% who stated that pictogram-based signs would be easier and more recognizable while driving compared to text-based signs.
C. INTERVIEWS
Questions:
1. Who am I here with? And where do you come from?
2.
Do you have road problems in your country?
3. Are you
familiar with these signs?
4. Do you think these signs
tend to cause problems at the roads?
5. Would you
prefer these signs better?
(Showing our pictogram-based design)
Key takeaways of the interview:
1. Most of the people that we have interviewed has a driving
license, and most of them understood road conditions very
well.
2. Major issues that causes a lot of accidents on
roads tend to be traffic jams and bumpy concrete.
3.
All of the people that we have interviewed view the
text-based traffic sign that we showed as an issue.
4.
All of the interviewees agreed that pictogram-based designs
for traffic signage will be a better alternative.
Below is the PDF file of our Data Collection Powerpoint
Slides:
Fig. 3.11, Data Collection Presentation Slides (PDF)
Presentation Video:
FEEDBACK
Week 4 (Data collection week, no lectures.)
Week 5
For our chosen topic, gathering other people's opinions
is not necessarily required and may not be that beneficial
for us.
REFLECTION
Experience
Our data collection week was an eye-opening
experience. It allowed me to move beyond theoretical
design concepts and engage directly with real-world
issues surrounding traffic sign communication.
Conducting the interviews, preparing the online
survey, and interacting with both peers and a
traffic expert has helped us develop our research
and analytical skills. This process has emphasized
the importance of understanding user perspectives in
design. The hands-on experience has strengthened our
research methodology as a group and deepened my
appreciation for how design impacts everyday life.
Observation
Personally, I found it fascinating to observe how
differently people perceive road signs based on
their background and experience. While conducting
the interviews, I noticed that even experienced
drivers struggled to interpret text-based signs like
"Belok Kiri Jalan Terus" quickly and confidently.
This made me reflect on how often we take sign
readability for granted. As someone approaching this
project from a design perspective, I started to pay
attention to signs around me, noticing how some
visuals are instantly understandable, while others
require a second glance. This helped me realize that
even the smallest design decisions, such as color
choices or symbol placements, can greatly affect how
people process information in real time.
Findings
From this project, I realized how much impact clear,
visual communication has on road safety. It became
clear to me that good design is not just about the
aesthetics, it's also about accessibility and its
functions. This reinforced the importance of
user-centered thinking in my design approach moving
forward.
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