ABSTRACT
Traffic lights feature a limited number of color associations, which is likely why most people have an easy time interpreting them. In fact, the traffic light color meanings are so ingrained from a young age that few people will be consciously aware of the abstract association they’re making between the colors and their associated meanings. Use redundant coding rather than relying solely on color-coding, which might be ineffective in dimly lit conditions and for color-blind users. There are multiple types of color blindness. Some examples are: Deuteranomaly, tritanopia, and monochromacy. The traffic light example on the previous page exemplifies how using more than one code—color and position—enables color-blind people to interpret traffic signals. Correctly interpreting a battery or oxygen tank level can be safety-critical. As such, it makes sense to use more than just color to indicate the amount remaining.
