Benefits of Adaptive Driving Beam Headlights for Visibility of Road Pavement Markings // John BULLOUGH | Lighting Research Center

Session 3 // LIGHTING COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS // Chairman: Wolfgang HUHN | Audi

Abstract:

Adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlighting systems are being used more widely throughout the world and discussions of the potential benefits they may provide for driving safety in the U.S., where they are not yet permitted, continue. Most of the discussions of safety benefits of ADB systems have focused on the improved visibility of road hazards, pedestrians and other three-dimensional targets. Another potential benefit of ADB systems is their ability to provide retrore flective illumination on roadway-based systems including raised pavement markers used for passive (retroreflective) delineation. Using the relative visual performance (RVP) model, the present paper summarizes and quantifies the benefits of ADB headlighting on the detection and visual identification of these important roadway safety elements compared to conventional headlighting systems, for drivers varying in age. The improved visual headway afforded by ADB systems provides drivers with substantial gains in potential response time in potentially dangerous situations.