SAFETY ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT: (3) AIDS TO THE DRIVER AT NIGHT

The author describes the features affecting visual acuity and how they influence driving. Road lighting is discussed and examples are given of factors governing road surface luminance. The relationship between skid resistance and luminance factor is examined. There is a tendency for roads with high luminance factors when dry to be slippery when wet. The characteristics of different designs of headlamps are explained, and the contrasting effect of their use on lit and unlit roads is illustrated. The problem of glare from road surfaces and oncoming headlamps is discussed. Several possible solutions are suggested including polarised light which appears to be too costly. The operation and advantages of an 'autodim' fully automatic dimmed system are explained. For abstracts of parts 1, 2 and 4, see IRRD abstracts nos. 222951-2, and 222954. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  Illuminating Engineering Society

  York House, 199 Westminster Bridge Road
  London SE1 7UN,   England 
• Authors:
  • Moore, R L
• Publication Date: 1976-7-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 190-192
• Serial:
  • Light and Lighting
  • Volume: 69
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brightness; Contrast; Drivers; Driving; Headlamps; Highway safety; Luminance; Night; Night visibility; Pavements; Polarized light; Skid resistance; Street lighting; Surface course (Pavements); Surfacing; Visibility; Vision; Visual perception; Wet weather
• Uncontrolled Terms: Wet pavements
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver vision; Polarized headlights
• ITRD Terms: 6794: Contrast (visual); 1772: Driver; 1855: Driving (veh); 1342: Headlamp; 545: Lighting (street); 525: Luminance; 9052: Night; 3031: Skid resistance; 2972: Surfacing; 6783: Visibility; 2066: Vision; 3015: Wet road
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145387
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 1977 12:00AM