Development and testing of culturally adapted road hazard communication designs

This study was conducted to assess comprehension of existing road hazard communication designs (RHCDs) in relation to culturally adapted designs among commercial vehicle drivers using a two-part study. In study 1, nine participants were recruited and their comprehension of 20 existing RHCDs was tested. Results of the analysis revealed that only 50% of the designs met the acceptance criterion of 67% set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Culturally adapted symbols were then developed for the 10 symbols which failed to meet the ISO acceptance criterion through a longitudinal focus group discussion involving the nine participants. In study 2, 226 commercial vehicle drivers were drawn from four bus terminals. Results of a paired-samples t test showed that comprehension of the culturally adapted designs was significantly better than comprehension of their equivalent existing designs. The findings are discussed in the context of extant literature and practice.