A Safety Evaluation of UVA Vehicle Headlights
Contract No. DTFH61-95-C-00093
Prepared by:
Marsha Nitzburg
Rita Seifert
Richard Knoblauch
Dan Turner
Center for Applied Research, Inc.
10213 Forest Lake Drive
Great Falls, VA 22066
Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296
NOTICE
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers' names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document.
Technical Report Documentation Page
1. Report No.
FHWA-RD-99-079 |
2. Government Accession No. |
3 Recipient's Catalog No. |
4. Title and Subtitle
A SAFETY EVALUATION OF UVA VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS |
5. Report Date |
6. Performing Organization Code |
7. Author(s)
M. Nitzburg, R. Seifert, R. Knoblauch, D. Turner |
8. Performing Organization Report No. |
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Center for Applied Research, Inc.
10213 Forest Lake Drive
Great Falls, VA 22066-3608
|
10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
3AI2
|
11. Contract or Grant No.
DTFH61-95-C-00093 |
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address
Office of Safety Research, Development, and Technology
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296 |
13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Final Report October 1, 1995 - December 31, 1998 |
14. Sponsoring Agency Code |
15. Supplementary Notes
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR): Dan Turner, HRDS
The Cost/Benefit Analysis was conducted by Dr. Ted Miller and Diane Lestina of National Public Services Research Institute. |
16. Abstract
The objective of this report was to determine if driver performance can be improved through the use of fluorescent roadway delineation and auxiliary ultraviolet (UVA) vehicle headlights. Additionally, cost/benefit analyses were to be conducted to determine if UVA fluorescent technology may be an economical means of increasing highway safety.
The literature review found several Swedish studies indicating sizeable increases (approximately 200%) in visibility distances for fluorescent roadway markings. Also, the literature review found no evidence of potentially harmful effects from the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the UVA headlight systems.
An extensive field study was conducted to determine the effects of UVA/fluorescent technology on visibility distances and driver behavior. Using an instrumented vehicle, no differences were found in vehicle speed, lateral placement, throttle position, steering wheel reversals, or brake applications. However, there were sizeable (up to 50%) improvements in the detection and recognition distances of a variety of roadway delineations. Even larger (300%) increases in detection distances of fluorescent objects, such as a bicycle and traffic cones, were found. Drivers' subjective ratings of UVA/fluorescent technology were very favorable.
The cost/benefit analysis indicated that very favorable cost/benefit ratios were associated with relatively modest reductions in relevant nighttime crashes and pedestrian crashes. |
17. Key Words
Research, Safety, Visibility, Road markings, Vehicle Headlights, Ultraviolet Lighting, Fluorescent Roadway Delineation, Pedestrian Safety |
18. Distribution Statement
No restrictions. This document is available to the public
through the National Technical Information Service,
Springfield, VA 22161. |
19. Security Classification
(of this report)
Unclassified
|
20. Security Classification
(of this page)
Unclassified
|
21. No. of Pages
59
|
22. Price |
Form DOT F 1700.7
Reproduction of completed page authorized
SI* (Modern Metric) Conversion Factors
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Literature Review
Field Study
Cost/Benefit Analysis
References
List of Figures
List of Tables
|