Technical Paper
Effect of Dynamic Lighting Conditions on Visual Detection
2009-04-20
2009-01-0544
The present design standards for low beam headlamps offer significant flexibility regarding the distribution of light that they generate. Some headlamp systems produce significant amounts of foreground illumination, which increases the apparent brightness of the roadway surface close to the vehicle, and this increased brightness is seen as desirable by many individuals. Some individuals may prefer not only high but uniform foreground illumination. At almost any driving speed, however, any objects located in the visual foreground are too close to avoid with slowing or steering maneuvers. Further, published literature on the mechanisms for disability glare suggests that foreground illumination should have a negative impact in terms of the visibility of objects located well ahead in the visual field.