| Title |
Visual Conspicuity Assessment of National Location Number Signs Using Image-Based Paired Comparison |
| Authors |
오하늘(Oh, Ha-Neul) ; 강석진(Kang, Seok-jin) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.8.81 |
| Keywords |
National Location Number; Visual Conspicuity; Paired Comparison; TrueSkill Algorithm; Hiking Trail |
| Abstract |
Hiking trails are natural environments where background color and luminance vary according to vegetation density, spatial structure, and the
presence of facilities. These variations can influence the visibility of National Location Number signs during emergency situations. However,
empirical research on the performance of the current standardized color scheme under different background conditions remains limited. This
study evaluates the visual conspicuity of sign colors across various hiking trail environments using an image-based paired comparison method.
A total of twenty-five background images representing five types of hiking trail conditions were combined with eight sign colors, including
four safety colors defined in KS S ISO 3864 and four achromatic colors. Data collected from 49 participants were analyzed using the
TrueSkill algorithm and two-way ANOVA. The results show that color significantly affects visual conspicuity. Yellow demonstrated the
highest and most consistent visibility across all background conditions, followed by white and red, whereas achromatic colors consistently
showed low conspicuity. Background condition also had a significant effect, with higher conspicuity observed in environments featuring
partially clear boundaries and shrub-dominant vegetation. In addition, significant interaction effects were identified, indicating that the
conspicuity of green, white, and black changes depending on vegetation composition and the presence of facilities. |