This report is concerned with determining and evaluating the costs and benefits of a potential automotive safety program on daylight running lights. The term, daylight running lights (DRL), means any of a variety of lighting systems on motor vehicles that are activated to improve vehicular conspicuity during daylight hours. The purpose is to make the vehicle more noticeable to other roadway users and hopefully, thereby, reduce highway accidents. Although this study concludes that the costs are greater than anticipated, the research also shows that potential safety benefits are large enough to warrant further investigation into DRL as a promising accident reduction countermeasure. This report also incorporates a decision analysis technique that provides management with a useful analytical tool to evaluate alternatives without placing a predetermined dollar value on human life for injury.
Abstract