Technical Paper
Psychological Research in Automobile Rear Lighting
1970-02-01
700388
The rear lighting and signaling system of automotive vehicles was considered to be one component of the traffic system which was amenable to development to provide improvements in driver performance and, hence, in accident reduction. The problem was discussed in the context of primary and augmenting cue utilization by drivers. Various display techniques were systematically investigated employing number, functional separation, and color coding in addition to intensity and flash coding now used. A static driving simulation and actual driving tests showed that number coding, functional separation, and color were effective in reducing following driver response time, missed signals, and errors. Ratings of signal system effectiveness correlated well with objective data. Studies concerned with color discrimination and visibility in clear and fog atmospheres showed that green-blue would be practical presence light color.