Various instrument meters, including a speedometer, are being installed in automobiles, and a driver reads numeral information on the meters when it is necessary. Analogue-type and digital-type indicators are used as the method to indicate numerals on the meter. This study is to find which type of meter is easier to read and keeps the driver more safe, by using an eye camera to compare the visual recognition time on different types of roads and during various weather conditions.
The driver operates an automobile by holding a steering wheel with his hands while carefully watching the road in front of him. He should always watch the road in front of him because averting his eyes may cause a traffic accident, possibly a fatal one, especially while driving at high speed on an expressway. However, it is impossible to drive on the street by looking forward only. Occasionally, he must see the meters beyond the steering wheel to check the time, speed, fuel level, etc. The moment that he is looking at meters is the moment he is not looking at the road in front of him. Although it is always the most dangerous time from a traffic safety viewpoint, he cannot completely avoid looking at meters. Because of this, it is important to lessen the time, as much as possible, to look at meters. This study is to find a better method to indicate numerals on the meter for this purpose.