A REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON NIGHTTIME CONSPICUITY AND EFFECTS OF RETROREFLECTORIZATION

The present review dealt primarily with the theoretical analysis of the nighttime conspicuity problem and with empirical data on the effect of retroreflectorization. The theoretical analysis concluded that: (a) A treatment resulting in an increased visible size or increased contrast (luminance) is likely to be conspicuity-enhancing and therefore, (b) retroreflectorization of parts of vehicles would likely be beneficial for highway safety. While the available empirical data are not extensive, they do suggest that retroreflectorization of highway vehicles in general and trucks in particular would increase their nighttime rear and side conspicuity and thereby reduce the likelihood of accidents.

• Corporate Authors:

  Highway Safety Research Institute

  Huron Parkway and Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109
• Authors:
  • Sivak, M
• Publication Date: 1979-11

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 9-17
• Serial:
  • HSRI Research Review
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Highway Safety Research Institute

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Highway safety; Motor vehicles; Night visibility; Prevention; Retroreflectors; Reviews; Safety; Trucks
• Subject Areas: Highways; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319843
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 110
• Files: HSL, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 6 1984 12:00AM