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Forensic
Aspects of Driver Perception and Response
Paul
L. Olson and Eugene Farber
Second
edition,
6" x 9", casebound,
384 pages
2003, Lawyers
and Judges
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Table
of Contents
Working
with Gene Farber, a world-renowned expert in ergonomics and human
factors, Dr. Olson has produced a new version of this best-selling
title that he calls "a significant advance" over the
previous edition. While the basic subject matter--driver perception
and perception-response time--remains the same, chapters have
been added that cover in greater depth material that was briefly
mentioned in the first edition. Additional chapters present completely
new material on the topics of driver eye movements and visual
attention.
This
best-selling reference pulls together the available information
on two primary themes: What a driver could have (or should have)
seen, and how long it takes to respond in an emergency situation.
The book covers general principles of vision and perception, visibility
with motor vehicle headlamps and with streetlighting, night photography,
methods of evaluation, basic perception-response situations and
complicating factors.
Many cases come down to questions
of what a driver could have or should have seen or how long it
would take a driver to respond in an emergency situation.
The book is divided into two
sections. The first, dealing with perception, consists of several
chapters covering the general principles of vision and perception,
visibility with motor vehicle head lamps, visibility with street
lighting, night photography, and methods of evaluation. The second
section, dealing with driver perception-response time, consists
of two chapters covering basic perception-response situations
and those with complicating factors.
For
more than thirty years, Dr. Olson has authored many reports, publications,
and book chapters on human factors research he conducted at the
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and at
General Motors Research Laboratories. Since 1993, Dr. Olson has
served as a consultant in litigation regarding issues concerning
his original research.
Topics covered include:
- applicability of human factors,
- evaluation of visibility
in the field,
- factors that degrade visual
performance under night driving conditions,
- fundamentals of vision in
driving,
- human variability,
- perception-response time
in non-standard situations,
- problems in the use of nighttime
photography as evidence in litigation,
- visibility when driving at
night, and
- visibility with fixed lighting.
Reviews for the previous
edition:
“This
is a well-written, easy-to-understand book--a historical account
of how humans perceive certain conditions, and their reactions
and responses to the same. As investigators, we have learned to
depend strictly on the technical aspects of accidents, and the
investigation of same, i.e., the road, vehicle, product liability,
etc. Olson opens up a whole new aspect on perception and response.
It is an excellent book for the serious motor vehicle collision
investigator.”
--The Legal Investigator
“The great strength of this
book is Paul Olson's constant theme that life rarely reflects
the test conditions.... It will make a useful addition to the
library of any accident investigator who wants or needs to go
beyond determining speed."
--Science & Justice, Journal of the Forensic Science Society
1997, Vol. 37, 3
“The material is logically
organized and easy to follow. Each chapter stands on its own,
and can be read to get an excellent overview of any of the specific
topics.... This is an excellent and easily understood book."
--Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, Vol. 33, 2.
Related books:
Human Factors in Traffic Safety
Medical-legal
Aspects of Alcohol
Motorcycle Accident
Reconstruction and Litigation, with CD-ROM
Pedestrian Accident
Reconstruction and Litigation
Roadway Safety
and Tort Liability
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