Large-Area Variable Reflectance Mirrors for Trucks and Buses

Glare from the headlights of following vehicles which is reflected in rearview mirrors can be a significant problem. Glare can cause driver discomfort, it can diminish the driver's ability to see, and it can cause driver fatigue, particularly during prolonged night-time driving common for many professional drivers. Conventional rearview mirrors, such as silvered and chromed mirrors, offer only one reflectivity level. Variable reflectance mirrors, such as those utilizing electrochromic and liquid crystal technology, are capable of multiple reflectance levels. With variable reflectance, the driver can select a high reflectivity level during daytime driving or when reversing into loading docks, and can select a reduced dimmer reflectance level when driving during glaring conditions. This paper briefly reviews the principal technologies available for variable reflectance mirrors and outlines their performance as glare-reducing mirrors.