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Models for calculation of figures-of-merit (FOMs) for the safeworthiness of motor vehicle visibility and conspicuity subsystems are described. The models combine representative driving scenarios with relevant subsystem characteristics and compute a weighted performance metric that provides a relative measure of subsystem performance. Work in progress for comparing model results with passenger car accident data are described and various issues in the application of FOM models are discussed.

Vehicle-into-iarge-truck accidents produce a disproportionately large number of fatalities. It is hypothesized that increasing a truck's visibility or conspicuity will reduce the number of vehicles colliding with trucks. The purpose of this project was to analyze thoroughly this specific accident problem, establish information requirements of other drivers, review the state of the art of conspicuity techniques, design and conduct a series of conspicuity experiments, design a new integrated lighting and marking system, design an augmented, low-cost reflectorized system for retrofitting on large trucks, and field test the augmented system on fleets of trucks. Approximately 2,000 trucks were fitted with the augmented system, and accident rates are currently being monitored and compared with those of a matched control group of 2,000 trucks. At the time of this writing, the 2-year field study is nearing completion.

This paper addresses the relationships between visibility from a vehicle and probability of accident involvement. It defines and discusses direct and indirect visibility in terms of both quantity (extent of the field of view available to the driver), and quality (extent to which the available field of view is degraded by adverse weather or other factors). Relevant vehicle, driver, and environmental characteristics are identified, and their frequency of occurrence and relationship to accidents (or pertinent proxies) discussed whenever such information is available. The bulk of the report is devoted to reviewing, summarizing, and integrating the large body of data concerning visibility, including engineering analyses and other analytical studies, as well as experimental data from laboratory, simulation and field studies.

This paper addresses the relationship between vehicle conspicuity and probability of accident involvement. As used here, conspicuity refers not only to the “noticeability” of the vehicle, but also to the recognizability of the vehicle and its behavior relative to the observer. All classes of vehicles are considered during both day and night driving on all types of roadways. Relevant vehicle, driver, and environmental characteristics are identified, and their frequency of occurrence and relationship to accidents (or pertinent proxies) discussed whenever such information is available. The bulk of the report is devoted to reviewing, summarizing, and integrating the available body of data concerning vehicle conspicuity, including engineering analyses and other analytic studies, as well as experimental data from laboratory, simulation and field studies.

Cyclopean eye positions of a small selected sample of drivers were measured relative to vehicle reference points while they performed usual driving activities in several late model vehicles. One vehicle was modified to obtain enhanced lateral and rear visibility. Results indicate that 1) during driving eye position shifts substantially to the rear of static eye position, 2) shoulder belts restrict eye excursions even during straight ahead driving, 3) a periscopic type mirror eliminates eye position shift and reduces variability during lane changes when compared to standard rear vision devices, 4) there is no consistent change in eye position over extended periods of driving, and 5) driving environment does not significantly affect average eye position.