Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: September 14, 2017
Last Modified: September 17, 2026 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements the Millisecond Road Sign Test (MS-RST). The MS-RST is inspired by the Road Sign Test (RST), a measure of processing speed and visual attention, described in Edwards et al (2006) who credit the task to Ball & Owsley (2000).
While the described RST procedure in Edwards et al (2006) relies on mouse button use, the Millisecond Road Sign Test can be used with touchscreens OR the mouse (no mouse button use).
Edwards J., Ross , L.A., Wadley, V.G., Clay, O.J., Crowe, M., Roenker, D.L., Ball, K.K. (2006). The useful field of view test: Normative data for older adults. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 21, 275–286.
Ball, K., & Owsley, C. (2000). Increasing mobility and reducing accidents of older drivers. In K. W. Schaie & M. Pietrucha (Eds.), Mobility and Transportation in the Elderly (pp. 213–251). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
7 minutes
Participants see sets of three or six traffic signs (sets are sampled from four different signs: left arrow, right arrow, bicycle, pedestrian) that are all crossed out by a red cross. After a random delay (1000-6000ms, steps of 1000ms), the cross is removed from one of the signs, and participant has to choose amongst 4 different responses: - left arrow => move a car icon to the left - right arrow => move a car icon to the right - bicycle => press a bicycle stop sign icon - pedestrian => press a pedestrian stop sign icon
by default, the test is run in a blocked design (N=3 vs. N=6, with N=3 always preceding N=6 block). To run N=3 and N=6 trials in a randomized mixed design, change parameters.runBlockedDesign under section Editable Parameters.
by default, the test is run in a blocked design (N=3 vs. N=6).
To run N=3 and N=6 trials in a randomized mixed design, change parameters.runBlockedDesign under section Editable Parameters.
provided by Millisecond - can be edited under section Editable Stimuli
The signs are 4 traffic signs commonly used in the United States but can easily be exchanged.
provided by Millisecond as html files.
To edit instructions, edit the html files directly.
See script 'millisecondroadsigntest_instructions_inc.iqjs'
File Name: millisecondroadsigntest_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| propCorrectPractice1 | The final proportion initially correct responses during practice 1 |
| aborted | 1 = script was aborted after practice 1; 0 = script was not aborted after practice 1 The following summary variables are based on correct responses made after onset of target. The script considers all correct responses made after onset of target including those trials where a premature response was also registered |
| propCorrectOverall | Proportion correct across all test trials |
| meanRTOverall | Mean latency (in ms) of correct responses across all test trials |
| propCorrectStims3 | Proportion correct across all test trials with N = 3 |
| meanRTStims3 | Mean latency (in ms) of correct responses across all test test trials with N = 3 |
| propCorrectStims6 | Proportion correct across all test trials with N = 6 |
| meanRTStims6 | Mean latency (in ms) of correct responses across all test test trials with N = 6 |
| sumPrematureResponses | The sum of all premature responses (responses before the cross was removed) |
| sumPrematureResponsesSigns3 | The sum of all premature responses (responses before the cross was removed) in the 3 sign condition |
| sumPrematureResponsesSigns6 | The sum of all premature responses (responses before the cross was removed) in the 6 sign condition |
File Name: millisecondroadsigntest_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| blockcode | The name the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| blocknum | The number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialcode | The name of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialnum | The number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run even those that do not store data to the data file. |
| runBlockedDesign | True (1): the test is split into 2 blocks: first block runs N=3; second block runs N=6 (default) false (0): N=3 and N=6 trials are run in a mixed design |
| n | Stores the current set size tested |
| delay | Stores the currently randomly sampled target delay in ms (1000-6000ms) |
| target | Stores the current target image distractor1- |
| distractor5 | Store the current distractor images |
| response | The participant's response (recorded touchscreenmouse response) |
| values.responseCategory | Description of response "left move", "right move", "stop-bicycle" "stop-pedestrian" |
| correct | Accuracy of response: 1 = correct response made after removal of cross; 0 = otherwise |
| propCorrectPractice1 | Proportion initially correct responses during practice 1 |
| valid | 0 = invalid response (e.g. too early) 1 = valid response |
| validrt | Valid response time (in ms); measured from onset of unslashed target -> "early response": response was made too early (during practice session 2) |
| latency | The response latency (in ms) of the last measured response; measured from: onset of stims |
| prematureResponse | Number of times participant responded before cross was removed during the current trial |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
Design |
||
| runBlockedDesign | True (1): the test is split into 2 blocks: first block runs N=3; second block runs N=6 false (0): N=3 and N=6 trials are run in a mixed design | true |
| maxPractice1Blocks | The maximum number of response practice blocks run if performance is too low | 2 |
| practice1MinAcc | The minimum proportion correct that terminates practice 1 (response practice) | 0.9 |
| minHorizontalChangePx | Any horizontal mouse movements (in pixels) smaller than this value is ignored and not processed as a response | 100 |
Sizing Parameters |
||
| picSize | The proportional size of the images if picSize is increased list.xcoordinates/list.ycoordinates need to be updated accordingly | 20% |
Timing Parameters |
||
| pretrialPause | The pause (in ms) after pressing the fixation cross and presentation of signs | 1000 |
| responseReminder | During practice (response learning) a response reminder is presented after this duration (in ms) | 5000 |