Visibility under night driving conditions

Abstract

Comparison between studies of visibility under night driving conditions has been made difficult by the wide range of test objects and visibility criteria used. This study attempts to provide a model by which the visibilities of a range of items can be estimated for night driving conditions. This first of three papers discusses laboratory studies of the effects of size and shape on visibility and various theoretical interpretations of the findings. It is argued that, despite its limitations, a single-channel model of spatial vision based on measurements of contrast sensitivity with discs remains the most relevant and practical theoretical framework with which to relate the visibilities of objects that are of interest in the night driving environment.