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On-the-Road Visual Performance with Electrochromic Rearview Mirrors
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English
Abstract
This study was part of a series of studies on variable-reflectance rearview mirrors. Previous work included laboratory studies of human visual performance, field collection of photometric data, and mathematical modeling of the visual benefits of variable-reflectance mirrors. We extended that work in this study by collecting photometric and human-performance data while subjects drove in actual traffic.
Three mirror conditions were investigated: (1) fixed-reflectance mirrors in the center and driver-side positions, (2) a variable-reflectance mirror in the center with a fixed-reflectance mirror on the driver side, and (3) variable-reflectance mirrors in both positions. The fixed and variable reflectivities were produced by the same mirrors by overriding the circuitry that normally controlled reflectance in the variable mode.
Results indicated that variable-reflectance mirrors provided a substantial reduction in discomfort glare without a measurable reduction in subjective ratings of rearward seeing ability. They did not cause major improvements in forward seeing (in agreement with previous laboratory and modeling results).
The present study is inconclusive with respect to the benefits of a variable-reflectance driver-side mirror relative to a fixed-reflectance mirror with 50% reflectance. The reason for this is that the particular driver-side mirror used in this study became noticeably green in the low-reflectivity state, and thus low reflectivity was confounded with a color change. The effect of the driver-side mirror should be clarified by further research.
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Authors
Citation
Flannagan, M., Sivak, M., Aoki, M., and Traube, E., "On-the-Road Visual Performance with Electrochromic Rearview Mirrors," SAE Technical Paper 950600, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/950600.Also In
Human Factors in Vehicle Design: Lighting, Seating, and Advanced Electronics
Number: SP-1088; Published: 1995-02-01
Number: SP-1088; Published: 1995-02-01
References
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- Flannagan, M. J. Sivak, M. 1994 Quantifying the benefits of variable reflectance rearview mirrors SAE Technical Paper Series No. 940641 Warrendale, Pennsylvania Society of Automotive Engineers
- Flannagan, M. J. Sivak, M. Gellatly, A. W. 1992 Rearview mirror reflectivity and the tradeoff between forward and rearward vision SAE Technical Paper Series No. 920404 Warrendale, Pennsylvania Society of Automotive Engineers
- Graf, C. P. Krebs, M. J. 1976 Headlight factors and nighttime vision Minneapolis Honeywell
- Mansour, T. M. 1971 Driver evaluation study of rear view mirror reflectance levels SAE Technical Paper Series No. 710542 New York Society of Automotive Engineers
- Olson, P. L. Jorgeson, C. M. Mortimer, R. G. 1974 Effects of rearview mirror reflectivity on drivers' comfort and performance Report No. UM-HSRI-HF- 74-22 Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Highway Safety Research Institute
- Schmidt-Clausen, H.-J. Bindels, J. T. H. 1974 Assessment of discomfort glare in motor vehicle lighting Lighting Research and Technology 6 79 88
- Ueno, H. Otsuka, Y. 1988 Development of liquid crystal day and night mirror for automobiles SAE Technical Paper Series No. 880053 Warrendale, Pennsylvania Society of Automotive Engineers