An ergonomics approach to the problem of high vehicles striking low bridges.
The incidence of high vehicles striking low bridges has increased considerably since about 1970. Now, between 400-500 such accidents occur every year. This study investigated two possible reasons for the accidents. These were drivers' knowledge of their vehicle heights, and drivers' understanding of the low bridge warning signs. Drivers' opinions of ways of preventing the accidents were also obtained. Only 12% of drivers were correct in their estimate of their vehicle height and 27% were within 3 in (76 mm) of the correct height. The majority of drivers made estimates which erred on the 'safe' side. 21% of drivers did not understand the road sign that shows 'Headroom at hazard ahead'. The ways of preventing high vehicles striking low bridges most popular with the drivers were those which provided them with information which was most directly relevant, ie, whether or not the vehicle would get safely under the bridge.
Galer
M
M
Institute for Consumer Ergonomics, University of Technology, Loughborough, USA.