The paper discusses a light distribution evaluation system capable of analyzing automobile headlamp light distribution patterns, on-screen, by implementing computerized vehicle simulation graphic analysis. This system enables comprehensive evaluation of the driver's vision, including peripheral vision, by analyzing quantified data on contrast, discomfort glare, and disability glare affecting target visibility. With this development it is now possible to evaluate the relationship of the visibility of pedestrians, background brightness, on-coming vehicles, and road curvature, to the headlamp light distribution pattern, and also to confirm visibility of pedestrians at any specified location and light specified location and light conditions, in real time, on-screen. This is certain to be an extremely valuable tool for light distribution analysis, as well as for verification of the safety of an automotive product at the design and improvement stages.
Abstract