Nighttime Hazard Detection on Freeways under Alternative Reduced Lighting Conditions

Abstract

A three-part study is reported, including 1) An analytic evaluation of the relative importance of fixed lighting installations versus vehicle headlights in meeting a driver's visual information needs; 2) A controlled field experiment which measured the distance-to-target at which a simulated hazard could be detected under actual traffic conditions; 3) An observational study to validate the behavioral data obtained in the controlled experiment. Main effects of lighting condition on detection performance were demonstrated consistent with the outcome of the prior analysis, and the pattern of the observational data paralleled the detection results. Findings are discussed in relation to ANSI design guidelines, highway sight distance requirements, and existing serial/additive models of driver visual information processing.

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References

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(This research was performed under Federal Highway Administration Contract DTFH-61-83-C-00056.).