Are traffic signs too bright

This paper addresses the ongoing question of; how bright does a sign need to be to meet the maximum number of road usersr needs? There are many influencing factors, which can all play an important role in the perceived brightness of a sign, including the changing road environment and layout, age of road users, headlamp improvements and the condition of signage. Specification guidelines and standards have been based on historic experience and data are these still representative of the needs of todayrsr and the futures road users? Optical capability declines with advancing age and at age of 60, the amount of light reaching the photoreceptors is only 33 per cent of the amount seen at age 20. Changing technology has seen an increase in LED signage, which is governed by different specification requirements, this needs to be combined with traditional signage to ensure the correct messages are delivered to road users. Globally traffic engineers and designers are facing the same challenges to deliver the best signage scheme for the scenario, this paper will consider best practise documents from around the globe.