Synonyms / Other Terms Used
Sleighing, Sledging, Sledding, Luge, Toboggan Run, Toboggan Slide
Category
Activities, Sporting activities, Winter Sports, Tourism, Recreation
Message / Function
For notice in general and to indicate the possibility of tobogganing
Source | Description | |
---|---|---|
PC | Side view of three human figures on toboggan indicated by a line | |
Picto'grafics | Side view of two sitting human figures on toboggan indicated by a line | |
Québec | Side view of two kneeling human figures on toboggan indicated by a line | |
Erco | Side view of sitting human figure on toboggan indicated by a line | |
WO'72 | Side view of sitting human figure on toboggan indicated by a line | |
La Clusaz | Side view of sitting human figure on toboggan indicated by a line | |
NZS 8603 | Side view of sitting human figure on toboggan indicated by a line | |
SSRS | Side view of child with shawl sitting on toboggan indicated by a isosceles trapezoid | |
BS 8501:2002 | Side view of human figure sitting on toboggan | |
1) | ÖNORM A 3011 | Side view of human figure sitting on toboggan |
2) | ON Testdesign | Side view of human figure sitting on toboggan |
Aicher & Krampen |
Side view of human figure sitting on toboggan | |
U.S. National Park Service |
Side view of human figure lying on toboggan | |
NPS | Side view of human figure lying on toboggan | |
Erco | Side view of human figure lying on toboggan indicated by a line | |
Novruzov | Birds eye view of human figure lying on luge | |
Zermatt | Parallel projection of toboggan | |
Las Leñas | Parallel projection of toboggan | |
SN 640 827 | Side view of toboggan | |
Handbuch wien.gv.at | Side view of toboggan |
Note: Some of the pictogram variants above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.
Discussion
The range of pictograms shown in the table above gives a good impression of the diversity of images used to indicate Tobogganing or facilities or places where this sport can be carried out. Image contents found range from plain side views of a toboggan to one or several human figures on a toboggan. Renderings of the toboggan itself also show a big amount of variation from a simple line with a curve at the lower end to parallel projections of a toboggan with several construction details. Also the posture of the human figures shown on the toboggan or luge vary to a large extent, from sitting to kneeling or even lying in prone or supine position. No single visual stereotype can be identified.
Only a few studies present research covering pictograms for this referent:
The results of an Appropriateness Ranking Tests of seven pictogram variants conducted by Gehringer (1976) indicate that showing a human figure sitting on a toboggan is preferred to just displaying the toboggan or to a person lying on a luge in typical racing posture.
The two pictograms marked 1) and 2) were examined in a follow-up Comprehension Test (Brugger, 1979) conducted in Austria. The pictogram marked with 1) reached 98 % and 2) 85 % correct responses, indicating excellent comprehensibility of such designs.
Furthermore there is some information concerning comprehensibility available for the pictogram of the Parks Canada Identity Program (2007): since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-4-309: Tobogganing displayed above and labeled PC, must have reached a comprehension rate of 80 % or higher, as this variant does not have the status Retired and does not have to be accompanied by a supportive text message.
Recommendations
Considering typical use of a toboggan and regarding test results available, we recommend the use of a pictogram like No 72 of the Austrian Standard ÖNORM A 3011 Part 3 shown above to signify Tobogganing.
Tests of pictograms of referent Tobogganing
Brugger, Ch. (1979): Abschlußbericht über den Erkennungstest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 12/79, Vienna.
Gehringer, J. (1976): Reihungstest über 8 Begriffe aus dem Sportwesen - Priorität II. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated February 1976, Vienna.
Parks Canada (2007): Parks Canada Identity Program: Exterior Signage; Standards and Guidelines - Version 1. March 2007.
See also
Skiing, Cross-country Skiing, Snowboarding, Skibobbing
Surface Lift
Updated 2025-01-18 by Ch.Brugger