AN EVALUATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS THAT LASER LIGHT IS MORE CONSPICUOUS THAN INCANDESCENT LIGHT

It has been thought that laser aids to navigation might appear more conspicuous than aids employing conventional light sources. Two rigorous experiments under controlled field and laboratory conditions were conducted to test that hypothesis. It was determined that at practical illuminance levels, observers were unable to discriminate correctly between lasers and incandescent/arc sources. It was therefore concluded that no significant advantage would be gained by replacing existing aids to navigation with laser aids to navigation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report
• Corporate Authors:

  Coast Guard

  Office of Research and Development
  Washington, DC  United States 

  United States Coast Guard

  2100 Second Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20593
• Authors:
  • Winslow, T S
  • Mandler, M B
• Publication Date: 1986-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 23 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aids to navigation; Lasers; Navigation lights; Visibility; Visual perception
• Old TRIS Terms: Light signals
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00650731
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
• Report/Paper Numbers: CG-D-16-86
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM