AN INVESTIGATION OF TACTILE AND VISUAL-STIMULI IN THE ROADWAY ENVIRONMENT

208 motorists were observed at Florida International University, in Mi ami, Florida as part of a study of the influence of speed humps on mot orists' behavior at pedestrian crossings. It was hypothesized that the presence of a speed hump will affect motorists' behavior by compellin g them either to yield or stop at a pedestrian crossing to enable a pe destrian to cross safely. A between-subjects experimental design was e mployed to measure motorists' reactions. Analysis indicated that the r elationship is strong between drivers' behavior and the presence or ab sence of this roadway stimulus. There was also evidence that female dr ivers may take more precautionary actions than male drivers. This info rmation is useful for roadway designers and traffic psychologists.