Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study

[x635 4,066]

Just came across this.......probaly old news.

Emergency Vehicle

Visibility and

Conspicuity Study

https://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_323.pdf

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On Page 21 of this study it makes reference to apparatus paint color as "Lime Yellow". In 1977 this was thought to be the best way to see a Fire vehicle in both daytime and night conditions. However today, when chevrons are applied to the corners of the apparatus it does not need to be lime yellow. In fact it works against you if it is not RED because peoples brains will not process the color as a fire truck ! I quess you can see my feeling about this.

There is some literature on the selection of different paint colors for emergency vehicles. Solomon (1990)

suggested the predominant color scheme on United States fire apparatus change from red to “lime-yellow.”

(Solomon & King, 1995) The rationale for this proposal is based on the assertion that yellow-green is an

easy color for the human eye to discern in both day/night lighting conditions, as well as providing contrast

with typical backgrounds. (Solomon & King, 1997) United Kingdom researchers Langham and Rillie (2002)

proposed a single-color paint scheme, using fluorescent orange, as the appropriate choice for emergency

vehicle visibility/conspicuity under most environmental conditions. Whatever the specific color, research

performed for this report suggests what is more important is the ability for drivers to recognize the vehicle

for what it is. (Schmidt-Clausen, 2000) The use of a standardized color or paint scheme for certain types of

vehicles may be helpful in this regard. (Olson et al., 1992; Thomas, 1998; Harrison, 2004; Harrison, 2006;

BSI, 2007) An example is the ubiquitous "yellow school bus" prevalent throughout the United States. These

vehicles are instantly recognizable and likely promote immediate behavioral responses by surrounding

drivers. Similarly, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or other mail/delivery trucks painted in a standard color may

also prompt drivers to behave in certain ways (i.e., expecting multiple stops at any time). Following this

principle, it is a common belief that people are more likely to identify red with a fire apparatus than other

colors, regardless of the conditions

.