SAFETY ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. I DIDN'T SEE IT! (1) SEEING TO DRIVE

The author discusses the human processes involved in driving a vehicle and examines the requirements of good street lighting. He summarises the results of some experiments performed in 1960 in which driving habits were observed. Examples are given of road and weather conditions which become dangerous when combined with certain types of street lighting. Motorway driving in foggy conditions is discussed. The author suggests that multiple accidents are not necessarily attributable to reckless driving, but are inherent in motorway conditions. Recent research has shown that the important elements in driver perception are often at the sides of the carriageway. The road surface is important, but the kerbs, footways and other miscellaneous background surfaces are at least as important. Contrast is more important than detail. Disability glare from road lighting has a small effect on an object with good contrast. For abstracts of parts 2, 3 and 4, see IRRD abstracts nos. 222952-54. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Illuminating Engineering Society

  York House, 199 Westminster Bridge Road
  London SE1 7UN,   England 
• Authors:
  • Waldram, J M
• Publication Date: 1976-9-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 184-187
• Serial:
  • Light and Lighting
  • Volume: 69
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contrast; Curbs; Drivers; Driving; Fog; Freeways; Hazards; Highway safety; Human factors; Night; Night visibility; Perception; Street lighting; Tests; Visibility; Weather
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver perception
• ITRD Terms: 6794: Contrast (visual); 1772: Driver; 1855: Driving (veh); 2547: Fog; 2257: Human factor; 545: Lighting (street); 2752: Motorway; 9052: Night; 2229: Perception; 9150: Risk; 6255: Test; 6783: Visibility; 2545: Weather
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145385
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 1977 12:00AM