Effects of Luminance and Animation Type on Glare and Visibility of Dynamic Signs: An Ergonomic Study Considering Age-Related Differences

Abstract

Increased luminance enhances sign visibility and readability, but excessive luminance can induce discomfort glare, particularly among older adults. However, few systematic investigations have examined the combined effects of luminance, animation type, and age. This study explores how luminance and animation type (flash vs. slide) affect perceived glare, visibility, and readability in different age groups. Six luminance levels (15.9–1,237 cd/m2) were tested. Based on stimulus size, the glare index at 762 cd/m2 was calculated to be 30.42, categorized as “intolerable.” Dynamic signs were evaluated by 15 participants in their 20s and 15 in their 60s. After 5 minutes of dark adaptation, the participants rated glare, visibility, and readability on seven-point scales and completed a comprehension task. Three-way analysis of variance (Age Group × Animation Type × Luminance) was performed. The results showed that comprehension accuracy exceeded 80% in all conditions, suggesting that animation does not necessarily impair recognition. Perceived glare increased with luminance, with an age-by-luminance interaction indicating that younger adults felt more glare at high luminance than older adults. Notably, older participants rated slide animations as significantly more visible and readable than flash animations. These findings suggest that, for older adults, slide animations at moderate luminance provide an optimal balance between visibility and comfort.

Keywords: Dynamic Signs, Discomfort Glare, Aging, Visibility, Animation

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007440