Driver Visibility under Wet Pavement Conditions: Size, Shzpe, and Spacing ofObject Markers/Delineators

摘要

The study sought to reduce the risks of wet, nighttime driving by determining theminimum visibility required of roadway delineators. To isolate the contributions that discrete delineators have on guidance vision and drivers' reactions, test subjects were shown electronically digitized photographs of wet, nighttime roadways to which simulated delineation was added. The delineators' apparent size, shape, spacing, and contrast were calculated from models describing the visible effects of various rain conditions and roadway geometries. Subjects' scores were based on the minimum delineator contrast required to correctly identify curve directions in various scenes. A disproportionate number of older drivers were tested because this group especially needs enhanced delineation under these adverse seeing conditions. Of the noncontrast delineator variables studied, only spacing provided a statistically significant difference for both right and left curve groups, with wider spacing requiring greater contrast for correct response. The delineator size effect was non-significant for both test groups.