LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ADAPTIVE DRIVING BEAM (ADB) TO IMPROVE TARGET VISIBILITY WHEN ONCOMING HEADLIGHT GLARE EXISTS

Abstract

To identify lighting requirements for ADB systems to help drivers detect off-axis potential hazards when oncoming headlight glare exists in a night-time roadway, we conducted target detection tests under various experimental conditions in a laboratory. In the experiment, we used a simulated ADB system which can illuminate only targets locally and therefore increase the luminance contrasts of the targets. The experimental results suggest that the ADB system is more efficient lighting methods than conventional forward lighting systems which illuminate the entire visual field to increase drivers’ adaptation luminance levels. Based on the detection rates, we also determined requirements for threshold luminance contrast for targets with oncoming headlight glare.