EVALUATION OF ILLUMINATION DESIGNS FOR ACCIDENT REDUCTION AT HIGH NIGHTTIME ACCIDENT HIGHWAY SITES

A quantitative technique, based upon driver visual search performance and driver control performance was developed to quickly evaluate the potential accident-reduction effectiveness of illumination designs. Six subject drivers drove an instrumented vehicle through nine intersections with known night accident rates, during both day and night. Drivers' visual search patterns (fixation times, distribution of fixations in the road scene, visual spatial and temporal activity) and driving control measures (e.g., velocity and steering) were recorded and analyzed. Results indicate different patterns of driver behavior at high and low accident-rate sites which may be useful for determining effectiveness of illumination. Behavior at illuminated sites improved to more closely resemble day time driver behavior. One of the recommendations is to apply the technique developed in this research to a before-after study of actual illumination changes at highway intersections. It is also recommended that the technique be used to study the relative benefits from illumination changes, improved pavement markings and improved signing at highway intersections.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Study sponsored by Ohio DOT.
• Corporate Authors:

  Ohio State University, Columbus

  Department of Industrial and System Engineering
  Columbus, OH  United States  43210

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  25 South Front Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43215

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Rackoff, N J
  • Rockwell, T H
• Publication Date: 1974-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 100 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crash investigation; Driver performance; Drivers; High risk locations; Intersections; Light; Night; Personnel performance; Street lighting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Visual search
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00081900
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: OHIO-DOT-10-74 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 14249(0)
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 22 1976 12:00AM