STUDY OF MOTOR VEHICLE SIGNAL SYSTEMS

This report reviews and investigates requirements for effective communication by motor vehicle signal systems. An operational analysis of communication needs is made by means of analysis of the gamut of possible conflicts taking into account the relative incidence with which certain conflicts lead to accident. A basic signal set is defined following this analysis. A survey has been made of current regulations in Australia and elsewhere and a survey of the signals of 29 of most popular vehicles established the nature of current practices in Australia. Comments and recommendations are made on the form and manner of specification of requirements for vehicle signals. An extensive discussion on possible improvements to the signal system follows. This is based primarily on the conflict analysis, current practices and information in the literature but is supported in part by some field observations which are reported in the appendices. Photometric requirements for signals are derived from the work of Fisher and Cole and the conflict analysis. Detailed recommendations are made for intensity and luminance requiremnts for all classes of signals. A total of 44 recommendations are made for the improvement of the vehicle signal system.

• Corporate Authors:

  Melbourne University, Australia

  Department of Optometry
  Parkville, Victoria 3053,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Cole, B L
  • Dain, S J
  • FISHER, A J
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 263 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Field studies; Motor vehicles; Photometry; Signals; Surveys
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176800
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 27 1978 12:00AM