Study aims to improve impact of warning signs

REACTIONS to danger warning signals is to come under the spotlight of researchers at Plymouth University.

Backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and led by human factors researcher Judy Edworthy, the Pounds 146,000 study will investigate the relationship between work and design of warning systems such as those used in aircraft and hospitals. The researchers will look at the way words are used in warnings, compare digitised voices with human voices and male with female, to see which prompt the fastest responses. The group plans to work closely with firms specialising in warning systems to produce guidelines on standards for use in industries such as aerospace, communications and electronics.