Driving with HID Headlamps: A Review of Research Findings

High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps have several advantages over tungsten-halogen headlamps which includes greater light efficiency (limens per watt) and a longer service life. However, a safety point of view, the main attraction of HID headlamps is that since they produce more light they have the potential to provide more useful illumination for the driver. But, at the same time, there are safety concerns with the effects of HID illumination on perception of the colors of important objects and glare to oncoming traffic. This paper will review research evidence that has been accumulated over the past 14 years concerning the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with the use of HID headlamps. The paper will conclude that the evidence strongly supports the use of well-designed HID headlamps.

[1]  Brandon Schoettle,et al.  THE ILLUMINATED SURFACE AREAS OF HID AND TUNGSTEN-HALOGEN HEADLAMPS IN THE U.S. , 2002 .

[2]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Subjective preferences for the red color of stop signs: implications for the design of high-intensity-discharge headlamps , 1992 .

[3]  Michael Sivak,et al.  DISCOMFORT GLARE FROM AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHTS , 1984 .

[4]  John D. Bullough,et al.  Discomfort and Disability Glare from Halogen and HID Headlamp Systems , 2002 .

[5]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Discomfort glare is task dependent , 1991 .

[6]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Performance of the First Generation of HID Headlamps in the U.S. , 2004 .

[7]  Michael Sivak,et al.  MOTOR VEHICLE FORWARD LIGHTING , 1983 .

[8]  Michael J. Flannagan,et al.  SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE ASPECTS OF HEADLAMP GLARE: EFFECTS OF SIZE AND SPECTRAL POWER DISTRIBUTION , 1999 .

[9]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Evaluations of in-traffic performance of high-intensity discharge headlamps , 1994 .

[10]  Michael Sivak,et al.  RANGES OF STOP SIGN CHROMATICITY UNDER TUNGSTEN-HALOGEN AND HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE ILLUMINATION , 1992 .

[11]  M. Sivak,et al.  Effect of headlamp area on discomfort glare , 1990 .

[12]  Errol R. Hoffmann,et al.  Analysis of Drivers' Control Movements , 1971 .

[13]  Michael Sivak,et al.  Colours of retroreflective sign materials when illuminated by high-intensity-discharge headlamps , 1991 .

[14]  M Grimm,et al.  ECE HEADLAMP PERFORMANCE STATUS AND POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENT , 2001 .

[15]  K Manz.  THE INFLUENCE BY SIZE OF HEADLAMP ON DISCOMFORT GLARE , 2001 .