The possibilities for continuous interior lighting for use when cars are driven at night are considered. Glare minimisation is considered a top priority for interior lighting. The need for light intensity to be controllable by the occupant in response to different driving conditions is explained. The lighting concept is described and features such as ambient lighting, choice of colour, and reading lights discussed. In a trial with a group of participants of a typical age range in the population, the interior lighting of a car was recreated in a laboratory situation. The re-adaptation time of an observer moving his gaze from the central console to a target in the road area after moving his gaze from the road to the central console was measured as a function of the different luminances and the gaze time of the central console. The difference between a stationary and a moving vehicle, the effects of combinations of lighting, of street lighting and of participant age were also examined. The driver did not want any luminance variations in the footwell and cental headliner. Under street lighting, higher luminance of interior lighting was desired. The older participants required higher luminance values than the younger group but also showed more variability in preferences. Optimal luminance was higher for rear passengers than for the driver and front passenger. Under certain circumstances using a minimal luminance level reduced the adaptation time for moving gaze between the road and interior of the vehicle. For the covering abstract see ITRD E123380.
Abstract