Roadside Signage

VLAA has worked with VicRoads and EPA Victoria to develop a series of VicRoads approved roadside litter prevention signs. These signs have been designed for permanent placement on roads with a speed limit up to 110 kmh. This section provides a general overview of the most effective way to use roadside signage in your litter prevention program, images of the signs including the dimensions for manufacture, and is supported by pages with more details of the principles for roadside signs and the VicRoads policy for both permanent signs and mobile billboards.

The three functions of roadside signage

To educate drivers that littering is illegal
To act as a deterrent to littering
As a call to action for witnesses to report litterers to authorities

Signage also suggests to the motorist that something is being done about the problem of littering and dumping and promotes a sense of social responsibility.

Research

Focus Group Testing (1) was undertaken to test the messages on the signs which found signs are most effective:

When they appear in a series where the message is built upon by each sign viewed; signs could be repeated or varied in the series. A sign appearing once only on a stretch of road was more likely to be missed.
Drivers expect bland signs that get straight to the point and they pay less attention to signs that do not impact on driving. Therefore, it is important to use fixed roadside signs sparingly to avoid visual pollution and no impact.
Research has shown that people differentiate between the acts of littering and illegal dumping. To address these distinct behaviours separate signs have been developed for littering and dumping.
Many of these one-off messages may be missed, therefore, suggesting that impact and engagement are heightened with frequent sightings/viewings/groupings i.e. a series of signs building on the overall message
A phone number, in this case the 1800 number, appears to act as a deterrent against littering
The clarity of an immediate and short message, a phone number and applicable logo(s) seems to be the most effective in particular if/when coupled with drivers seeing the signs repeatedly.

(1) Roadside Signage Evaluation 2005 Open Mind Research commissioned by Victorian Litter Action Alliance, EPA Victoria and the Beverage Industry Environment Council