DAYTIME RUNNING-LIGHTS PROJECT II-VEHICLE DETECTION AS A FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHT USE AND AMBIENT ILLUMINATION

This study investigated the ability of subject drivers to detect oncoming vehicles with their low beam headlights "on" and "off" under various levels of daytime illumination. Results indicated that the study vehicles could be detected sooner with their headlights "on" then with their headlights "off". Detection distance in the "light-off" condition, detection distance decreased, in an approximate linear fashion, with a decrease in the logarithm of ambient illumination. Results are discussed in terms of passing performance on two-lane highways, and in terms of the design of appropriate daytime running lights.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared in cooperation with Canadian Forces Base Toronto an
• Corporate Authors:

  Ministry of Transport, Canada

  Road Safety Unit
  Ottawa, ONo K1A 0N5,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • ATTWOOD, D A
• Publication Date: 1975-4

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Daylight; Drivers; Headlamps; Passing sight distance; Perception; Two lane highways; Vehicle detectors; Vehicle lighting
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver perception; Running lights
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00131683
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RSU 75/2 Tech. Rpt., HS-018 593
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: May 14 1989 12:00AM