Evaluation of Direct Visibility for Automotive Passenger Vehicles by a Figure of Merit

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Evaluation of Direct Visibility for Automotive Passenger Vehicles by a Figure of Merit

R. L. Barnoski / J. R. Maurer / B. A. Kugler

This report considers both the detailed development and use of a simple analytical model to assess the direct visibility afforded a binocular driver of an automotive passenger vehicle. The model is termed a Figure-of-Merit Model; it incorporates as basic inputs the field-of-view available to either a driver or/and driver population as well as the visual field adjudged as required for 'safe' driving. It allows a ready comparison between the visual field seen by a driver and the visual field that should be seen for 'ideal' or 'perfect' visibility. Thirteen 1969 vehicles were tested making use of a specifically designed photogrammetry procedure and special purpose measurement facility. The overall figures-of-merit ranged from 39.42 to 68.94 with an average value of 56.74. For greater sensitivity in azimuth, figures-of-merit were computed separately for the front and rear 180 degree sectors. The study results can be used as relative measures of 'good' visibility for the vehicles considered. More important, the concepts embodied in the model can be extended to provide visibility standards for automobiles; they can be adapted to include trucks, buses, and visual aids such as rear view mirrors. (Author)