NIGHTTIME DETECTION OF BICYCLES

A case is made in this paper for the importance of peripheral visual detection in the nighttime bicycle detection problem. Based upon the findings of this field study, a reflector arrangement consisting of two horizontally separated high performance rear reflectors in combination with an improved taillight and improved pedal reflectors would seem highly promising and beneficial with regard to the rear conspicuity (detection) problem of bicycles at night. More research is needed to get a better understanding of the human visual detection mechanisms involved in foveal vs. peripheral detection at night. Also more research is needed to examine the detection distance statistics and threshold multiples for more than two reflectors, for various reflector arrangements and separation distances, for various reflector or visual stimulus intensity levels and to determine appropriate correction factors to be used when performing engineering illumination or visibility calculations involving peripheral visual detection. (Author)