Empirical assessment of the legibility of the Naskh-style typeface used on Arabic road signs

Abstract

Most studies on the legibility of highway signs focus on the legibility of Latin typefaces. Few legibility studies of Arabic typefaces are considered in highway signage. The current study is an empirical assessment of the legibility of the Boutros Advertisers Naskh Arabic typeface, the typeface commonly used in road signage in most Middle Eastern and North African countries. The study uses common highway signs configuration within a laboratory-based simulated driving experience. The results show that Boutros Advertisers Naskh has a high threshold, which indicates low legibility on road signs, and that it requires significant improvements for continued use.