Repairs / Repair Shop

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Repair Workshop, Mechanic, Car Repairs, Car Repair Workshop, Auto Repair Shop, Automotive Service

Category

Commercial Facilities, Concessions, Services, Travel

Message / Function

To show the location of a repair workshop

	Source	Description
	Ecuador	Detail of open-end wrench with hexagonal bolt
	BS 8501:2002	Detail of open-end wrench
*)	ISO DIS 3957-0418	Open-end wrench in vertical position, outline
	Unknown	Open-end wrench in vertical position
*)	ÖNORM A 3011	Open-end wrench in vertical position
	U.S. National Park Service	Tilted open-end wrench
*)	Simlinger & Falkner	Tilted double-ended open-end wrench
	SADC	Tilted double-ended open-end wrench
	TAC	Diagonally placed adjustable spanner wrench
*)	Tern	Adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws
	France IISR	Adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws
	SVI	Adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws
	PMP RI	Adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws
*)	StVO D	Symmetric adjustable spanner wrench
	Kapitzki	Symmetric adjustable spanner wrench, thread visible
	Aicher	Symmetric adjustable spanner wrench with structured handle
	Argentina MSV	Symmetric adjustable spanner wrench
	DER	Adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws
	Argentina MSV	Adjustable spanner wrench and screw driver
	Unknown	Pincers and hammer in vertical position
	Unknown	Hand holding double-ended open-end wrench
	McLaren & Braunstein	Screw driver and double-ended open-end wrench, human figure
	Dreyfuss	Side view of car inside box, adjustable spanner wrench below
	ISO 7001	Front view of a car and a wrench/spanner above the car
	Erco	Front view of a car on lifting platform
	Kapitzki	Side view of a car on lifting platform

Discussion

The range of pictograms shown in the table above gives a good impression of the image contents used to signify Repair Shop. No single visual stereotype can be identified, but images showing adjustable spanner wrenches or open-end wrenches seem to be most common. Combinations of tools with views of cars limit the scope and prompt a focus on Car Repair Workshop.

Even though we found several studies in our database, results cover only a few image contents in use, but still offer some relevant hints:

Kraft (1976) studied twelve pictogram variants for Car Repair Workshop in an Appropriateness Ranking Test. A traffic sign showing a symmetric adjustable spanner wrench plus distance information was judged as most appropriate. The Dreyfuss variant shown in the table above was next, followed by a tilted double-ended open-end wrench. In general open-end wrenches were placed better than adjustable spanner wrenches.

In three following Comprehension Tests (Brugger, 1977, 1978, and 1979) variants either identical or similar to the ones marked with *) were studied. As no context information was provided in any of these studies, responses covered a wide range like Tools, Workshop, Mechanic, Car Repair Shop, Breakdown Service, Automotive Service, and even more. In general responses indicated that the adjustable spanner wrench seems to be less known than a typical open-end wrench. In any case at least 78 % of the responses showed that the images presented were identified as tools of some kind.

When Fiori (2008) examined a map symbol showing an adjustable spanner wrench with asymmetric jaws (similar to the Brazilian traffic sign labeled as DER) on basis of a Comprehension Test, only 53.2 % of the responses were classified as correct. Answers reported are manyfold: besides Mechanic Repair responses were among others Tire Repairs, Plumber, Spanner, and Tool.

Recommendations

RepairShop

Based on the test results known, we recommend the use of a pictogram showing an open-end wrench similar to symbol No 13 of the Austrian Standard ÖNORM A 3011 part 2 or a corresponding tilted variant to signify Repairs, especially if the message is not limited to Car Repair Workshop.

Tests of pictograms of referent Repairs / Repair Shop

Brugger, Ch. (1977): Abschlußbericht über den Erkennungstest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute, Vienna, 1977-10-04.

Brugger, Ch. (1978): Bericht über die Auswertung des Erkennungstests vom November/Dezember 1977. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute, Vienna, 1978-03-06.

Brugger, Ch. (1979): Abschlußbericht über den Erkennungstest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 09/79, Vienna.

Fiori, S. R. (2008): Mapas para o turismo e a interatividade - proposta teórica e prática. Tese de Doutorado - Depto. de Geografia, FFLCH-USP.

Kraft, E. (1976): Ranking-Test. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 09/76, Vienna.