The headlamp of a motorcycle is different from that of a car, in that the inclination of the motorcycle body and steering strongly affect the illumination direction. This may cause a discomfort glare for a driver in an oncoming car when a motorcycle is cornering or turning at a crossing. Use of High-intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, the illumination from which is twice as strong as halogen headlamps, is increasing among cars. Although HID headlamps with strong illumination can improve visibility, they may cause glare to a driver in an oncoming car, depending on the vehicle attitude. The objective of this study is to investigate the glare caused by various vehicle attitudes specific to motorcycles, such as an inclination of the body that is different from cars. We conducted an investigation of the oncoming car driver's eye points against a motorcycle headlamp. We used these results to determine whether a glare evaluation method specific to motorcycles is necessary. We conducted an investigation to assess situations in which variations in vehicle positions specific to motorcycles could cause glare for oncoming drivers. The results were used to discuss evaluation methods for motorcycle headlamps. The results revealed that it is unlikely for a motorcycle headlamp to create glare for an oncoming vehicle when it is cornering, and also that any glare when it is turning right at a crossing is about the same as or less than that of a car. Therefore, we conclude that it is not necessary to evaluate glare that arises from variations in vehicle attitude specific to motorcycles. It is only necessary to evaluate the discomfort glare in situations when a motorcycle is passing or overtaking another vehicle on a generally straight road, or waiting at a crossing, or following other vehicles in a traffic jam, when the height of the headlamp could be a glare factor.
A study of driver eye points for oncoming cars and the illumination direction of motorcycle headlamp. Investigating the effect of the variations in motorcycle attitude on glare
Studie der Augenbewegungen des Fahrers bei Gegenverkehr und Richtungsänderung von Motorradscheinwerfern. Einfluss der Reaktion des Motorradfahrers auf Blendung
2003
8 Seiten, 6 Bilder
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch