Computer Simulation Evaluation of Current U.S. and European Headlamp Meeting Beams, and a Proposed Mid Beam

A computer simulation of a nighttime meeting between two vehicles is described, including results showing the correspondence between predicted visibility distances and those obtained in field tests. The simulation is used to compare visibility distances and glare effects in meetings between vehicles equipped with the U.S. low beam, European low beam, and an experimental mid beam, in various conditions of aim.

Results of this study suggest that differences between European and U.S. low beams are of little practical consequence. By comparison, the mid beam appears to offer a potentially improved meeting beam, pending resolution of problems of rearview mirror glare, beam switching, etc.