In this paper the authors review various ways of increasing the conspicuity of vehicles in order to reduce traffic accidents and pay particular attention to the advantages and disadvantages of the use of daytime running lights (DRL). Vehicle conspicuity can be obtained in, at least the four following ways: (1) Contrast (brightness, colour) (2) Motion (against background or internal) (3) Size (angular) (4) Information technology (radar, microwaves, infrared, ultrasound, etc). For several reasons internal motion and angular size are not workable variables. Information technology is probably the solution of the future - but not today. Contrast can be obtained by choice of colour. But the effects in some situations are not too good. Another way is the use of lights on the vehicle (DRL). Specially in levels of lower ambient illumination lights on vehicles call attention in the periphery of the visual fiel, allowing detection. In Sweden, Finland, and Norway DRL has been successfully tried as a conspicuity enhancing and accident reducing measure. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see IRRD 837684.
Abstract