Evaluation of direct visibility for automotive passenger vehicles by a Figure of Merit.

This report considers both the detailed development and use of a simple analytical model to assess the direct visibility afforded a binocular driver of an automotive passenger vehicle. The model is termed a Figure-of-Merit; it incorporates as basic inputs the field-of-view available to either a driver or-and driver population as well as the visual field adjudged as required for "safe" driving. Thirteen 1969 vehicles were tested making use of a specifically designed photogrammetry procedure and special purpose measurement facility. Figures of Merit then were calculated for each vehicle.