Visibility under night driving conditions. Part 1: Laboratory background and theoretical considerations.

Laboratory studies of the effects of size and shape on visibility and various theoretical interpretations of the findings are discussed. It is argued that, despite its limitations, a single-channel model of spatial vision based on measurements of contrast sensitivity with discs remains the most relevant and practical theoretical framework with which to relate the visibilities of objects that are of interest in the night driving environment. (See also B 8962).