Photometric Considerations in Design of Displays for the Older Driver

Several aspects of visual functioning deteriorate as part of the normal aging process. These include a reduction in luminance and color contrast sensitivity, an increase in sensitivity to glare, a reduction in visual accommodation capacity, and a reduction in the sensitivity to light. In combination these visual deficits can make reading instrument panel display symbols (i.e., lettering and graphics) difficult for the older driver. This report provides basic guidelines and references that can be considered when setting photometric guidelines for instrument panel displays that are designed to accommodate the older driver.