# Evaluation of Adjustment Effects of Highway Guide Signs Based on the TOPSIS Method
## 6 Discussion and Conclusions  
Highway direction signs are vital for safety and navigation, yet field research reveals significant practical challenges. Drivers struggle with cluttered information, inconsistent placement, and poor visibility. To address these, we propose a TOPSIS-based evaluation model focusing on four key needs: normativity (compliance with standards), readability (clear content hierarchy), continuity (logical advance signage), and consistency (uniform symbols). In the actual management and operation of highways, this comprehensive evaluation model demonstrates significant practical value. Taking the busy highway interchange areas on urban outskirts as an example in this study, the model quantitatively analyzes core indicators such as sign standardization, visibility, continuity, and consistency, accurately identifying issues such as missing or discontinuous information at certain interchange ramp exits. These issues often lead to driver misjudgment in complex traffic conditions. Based on the risk warning list generated by the model, management authorities swiftly formulated a prioritized renovation plan, supplementing missing exit warning signs and standardizing terminology across multiple zones to ensure consistent information presentation. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows:  
1. The questionnaire and field research indicate that, from the drivers' subjective perspective, there are challenges such as difficulties in information retrieval, unclear sign content, and complex graphics. From a regulatory standpoint, issues include non-compliant font sizes, information overload, missing advance signs, unreasonable placements, insufficient hierarchy, and lack of continuity. Analysis of the survey responses reveals that drivers prioritize safety, efficiency, and comfort in their journeys. Based on the role of direction signs, it is suggested that drivers require signs to exhibit normativity, readability, continuity, and consistency, with a definition and analysis of these four types of needs provided. 2. Based on drivers' needs regarding highway direction signs, factors influencing these needs were analyzed, leading to the design of corresponding evaluation indicators. The evaluation is proposed at interchange units, assessing normativity, visibility, continuity, and consistency, and quantifying these indicators to construct a comprehensive evaluation system. 3. By analyzing the evaluation indicator system and comparing various comprehensive evaluation methods, the TOPSIS method was selected for evaluating the effectiveness of highway direction signs. Selecting the Hebei section of the G2 expressway as a case study, it was demonstrated that the proposed evaluation index system and model are feasible and can be used for the comprehensive evaluation of highway directional signs. From a traffic management perspective, the model facilitates a shift from traditional reactive maintenance to a proactive, dynamic prevention approach. It enables authorities to anticipate and address potential issues in advance, improving the scientific rigor and foresight of traffic management. For drivers, the optimized signage system provides clearer and more accurate guidance, reducing confusion and misjudgment during driving, mitigating fatigue and accident risks, and ultimately enhancing the travel experience. From an industry development standpoint, the model's evaluation framework lays a solid foundation for updating sign design standards. It clarifies critical metrics such as information density thresholds and graphic simplification principles, promoting more standardized, uniform, and user-friendly highway sign design. This elevates the overall service quality and operational efficiency of the road traffic system, providing robust support for building a safer, more efficient, and convenient transportation environment. In future research, we will add multiple highways of different types and scenarios to collect traffic sign data for further testing and evaluation of the model.