NIGHTTIME DETECTION OF BICYCLES

A case is made in this paper for the importance of peripheral visual detection in the nighttime bicycle detection problem. Based upon the findings of this field study, a reflector arrangement consisting of two horizontally separated high performance rear reflectors in combination with an improved taillight and improved pedal reflectors would seem highly promising and beneficial with regard to the rear conspicuity (detection) problem of bicycles at night. More research is needed to get a better understanding of the human visual detection mechanisms involved in foveal vs. peripheral detection at night. Also more research is needed to examine the detection distance statistics and threshold multiples for more than two reflectors, for various reflector arrangements and separation distances, for various reflector or visual stimulus intensity levels and to determine appropriate correction factors to be used when performing engineering illumination or visibility calculations involving peripheral visual detection. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trcircular/229/229-009.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Symposium on Conspicuity on the Highway, St. Paul, Minnesota, 24-26 June 1980. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Zwahlen, H T
• Publication Date: 1981-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 38-49
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: 229
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cyclists; Human factors; Night vision; Peripheral vision; Reflectorized materials
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00335163
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-032 452
• Files: HSL, TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM