Enhanced Night Visibility Series, Volume VIII: Phase II—Study 6: Detection of Pavement Markings During Nighttime Driving in Clear Weather
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U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Research, Development, and Technology
Turner–Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101–2296
FOREWORD The overall goal of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Visibility Research Program is to enhance the safety of road users through near-term improvements of the visibility on and along the roadway. The program also promotes the advancement of new practices and technologies to improve visibility on a cost-effective basis.
The following document summarizes the results of a study on the detection of pavement markings using various headlamp systems during nighttime driving in clear weather. The study was conducted under Phase II of the Enhanced Night Visibility (ENV) project, a comprehensive evaluation of evolving and proposed headlamp technologies under various weather conditions. The individual studies within the overall project are documented in an 18-volume series of FHWA reports, of which this is Volume VIII. It is anticipated that the reader will select those volumes that provide information of specific interest.
This report will be of interest to headlamp designers, automobile manufacturers and consumers, third-party headlamp manufacturers, human factors engineers, and people involved in headlamp and roadway specifications.
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Michael F. Trentacoste Director, Office of Safety Research and Development |
Notice
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the
U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The
U.S. Government assumes no liability for the use of the information contained in this document.
The
U.S. Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trademarks or manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the objective of the document.
Quality Assurance Statement
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.
Technical Report Documentation Page
1. Report No. FHWA-HRT-04-139 |
2. Government Accession No. |
3. Recipient's Catalog No. |
4. Title and Subtitle Enhanced Night Visibility Series, Volume VIII:
Phase II—Study 6: Detection of Pavement Markings During Nighttime Driving in Clear Weather |
5. Report Date December 2005 |
6. Performing Organization Code
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7. Author(s)
Christopher J. Edwards, Stephanie Binder, Thomas A. Dingus, Ronald B. Gibbons, Jonathan M. Hankey |
8. Performing Organization Report No. |
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
3500 Transportation Research Plaza
Blacksburg, VA 24061 |
10. Work Unit No.
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11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-98-C-00049 |
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Safety Research and Development
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296
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13.Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report |
14. Sponsoring Agency Code HRDS-05 |
15. Supplementary Notes
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR): Carl Andersen, HRDS-05
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16. Abstract
Phase II—Study 6 was part of the Enhanced Night Visibility project, a larger research effort investigating drivers' visual performance during nighttime driving. Study 6 evaluated the possibility of improving the detection distances of pavement markings through the use of fluorescent materials, combined with augmentation of vehicle headlamps with UV–A sources. Three different pavement marking materials and 11 headlamp configurations,—vision enhancement systems (VESs)—were evaluated. The VESs studied included halogen low beam (HLB), high intensity discharge (HID), halogen high beam (HHB), and high output halogen (HOH) sources. Both the HLB and HID configurations were used in the systems augmented with UV–A sources. The pavement marking materials included fluorescent paint, fluorescent thermoplastic, and a two-component liquid system. Thirty participants from three age groups (young, middle-aged, and older) participated in the study. The results indicated that all of the VESs provided adequate minimal visibility distances for all of the pavement markings at the 40-km/h (25-mi/h) speed driven and that the supplemental UV–A did not improve the detection distances obtained with either the HID or the HLB headlamps. The liquid system and thermoplastic pavement markings outperformed the fluorescent paint. The report discusses the results and implications for both headlamp type and the pavement marking materials.
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17. Key Words
Age, Fluorescent Paint, Halogen, Headlamps, High Intensity Discharge, Liquid System, Nighttime, Pavement Marking, Thermoplastic, Ultraviolet, Visibility, Vision Enhancement System |
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. |
19. Security Classif. (of this report)
Unclassified |
20. Security Classif. (of this page)
Unclassified |
21. No. of Pages 85 |
22. Price |
Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
ENHANCED NIGHT VISIBILITY PROJECT REPORT SERIES
This volume is the eighth of 18 volumes in this research report series. Each volume is a different study or summary, and any reference to a report volume in this series will be referenced in the text as "ENV Volume I," "ENV Volume II," and so forth. A list of the report volumes follows:
Volume |
Title |
Report Number |
I |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Executive Summary |
FHWA-HRT-04-132 |
II |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Overview of Phase I and Development of Phase II Experimental Plan |
FHWA-HRT-04-133 |
III |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 1: Visual Performance During Nighttime Driving in Clear Weather |
FHWA-HRT-04-134 |
IV |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 2: Visual Performance During Nighttime Driving in Rain |
FHWA-HRT-04-135 |
V |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 3: Visual Performance During Nighttime Driving in Snow |
FHWA-HRT-04-136 |
VI |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 4: Visual Performance During Nighttime Driving in Fog |
FHWA-HRT-04-137 |
VII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 5: Evaluation of Discomfort Glare During Nighttime Driving in Clear Weather |
FHWA-HRT-04-138 |
VIII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Study 6: Detection of Pavement Markings During Nighttime Driving in Clear Weather |
FHWA-HRT-04-139 |
IX |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Characterization of Experimental Objects |
FHWA-HRT-04-140 |
X |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Visual Performance Simulation Software for Objects and Traffic Control Devices |
FHWA-HRT-04-141 |
XI |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase II—Cost-Benefit Analysis |
FHWA-HRT-04-142 |
XII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Overview of Phase II and Development of Phase III Experimental Plan |
FHWA-HRT-04-143 |
XIII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase III—Study 1: Comparison of Near Infrared, Far Infrared, High Intensity Discharge, and Halogen Headlamps on Object Detection in Nighttime Clear Weather |
FHWA-HRT-04-144 |
XIV |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase III—Study 2: Comparison of Near Infrared, Far Infrared, and Halogen Headlamps on Object Detection in Nighttime Rain |
FHWA-HRT-04-145 |
XV |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase III—Study 3: Influence of Beam Characteristics on Discomfort and Disability Glare |
FHWA-HRT-04-146 |
XVI |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phase III—Characterization of Experimental Objects |
FHWA-HRT-04-147 |
XVII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Phases II and III— Characterization of Experimental Vision Enhancement Systems |
FHWA-HRT-04-148 |
XVIII |
Enhanced Night Visibility Series: Overview of Phase III |
FHWA-HRT-04-149 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2—METHODS
CHAPTER 3—RESULTS
CHAPTER 4—DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
LIST OF FIGURES
- Equation. Contrast ratio.
- Photo. Application of the liquid system pavement marking.
- Photo. Application of the fluorescent thermoplastic pavement marking system.
- Photo. Application of the fluorescent pavement markings using the long-line truck.
- Photo. SUV 1 with hybrid UV–A + HID.
- Photo. SUV 2 with three or five UV–A and HLB or HID.
- Photo. Pickup with HOH and HHB.
- Photo. Sedan with HLB–LP.
- Photo. Smart Road.
- Diagram. Pavement marking material setup.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results on beginning detection distance for the main effect: VES.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results on beginning detection distance for the main effect: pavement marking.
- Bar graph. Results on beginning detection distance for the interaction: VES by Pavement Marking.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results for beginning detection distance for the main effect: age.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results on ending detection distance for the main effect: VES.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results on ending detection distance for the main effect: pavement marking.
- Bar graph. Results on ending detection distance for the VES by Pavement Marking interaction.
- Bar graph. SNK post hoc results on ending detection distance for the main effect of age.
- Photo. Aerial view of the Smart Road.
LIST OF TABLES
- Experimental variables: 11 (VES) by 3 (Pavement Marking) by 3 (Age) mixed-factor design.
- VES configurations.
- VES configuration groups.
- Model for the experimental design.
- ANOVA table for the beginning detection distance for VES configuration and pavement marking.
- ANOVA table for the ending detection distance for VES configuration and pavement marking.
- Beginning detection distance means for VES baselines and supplemental UV–A.
- Ending detection distance means for VES baselines and supplemental UV–A.
- Vehicle, average participant eye height, and headlamp configurations.
- Group A VES counterbalancing.
- Group B VES counterbalancing.
- Mean beginning and ending detection distances and SNK groupings (means with the same letter are not significantly different) of pavement markings for the VES main effect.
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
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