DEVELOPMENT OF A HEADLIGHT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TOOL. FINAL REPORT

This report summarizes four investigations carried out to assist in the development and evaluation of a headlighting visibility model developed by NHTSA. In the first study the adaptation level of drivers was measured under various conditions. It was found that the levels calculated by the model are generally too low. In the second study data were developed on discomfort glare in order to obtain a more accurate estimate for use in the model. In the third and fourth studies, comparisons were made between the visibility of pedestrian and delineation targets as measured in the field and predicted by the model. These results suggest that the model is reasonably accurate for pedestrian targets with drivers aged 35, but significantly in error for older drivers (65+). There was also a significant discrepancy in the case of delineation targets. However, the data from the delineation studies were themselves quite inconsistent, so recommendations for corrections cannot be made with any degree of confidence.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Olson, P L
  • Aoki, T
  • Battle, D
  • FLANNAGAN, M
• Publication Date: 1990-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 94 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Aged drivers; Drivers; Forecasting; Glare; Headlamps; Mathematical models; Performance evaluations; Psychological adaptation; Visibility
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00611087
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-90-41, HS-807 697
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-88-C-07011
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1991 12:00AM