Forensic Aspects of Driver Perception and Response, Second Edition

Paul L. Olson and Eugene Farber
 
 
Table of Contents
Preface
 
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Human Factors in Accident Reconstruction
     A. Introduction
     B. History
     C. Human factors in product evaluation and development
     D. Applicability of human factors to accident reconstruction
1.2 Human Variability
     A. The problem
     B. Descriptive statistics
     C. The concept of threshold
1.3 Expectancy
     A. What it is
     B. Driver expectancy
1.4 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 2: Light and Its Measurement
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Nature of Light
2.3 Definitions
     A. Light-reflecting surfaces
     B. Miscellaneous visibility-enhancing materials
2.4 Photometry
     A. Luminous intensity and illuminance
     B. Luminance
     C. Means of measurement
2.5 Chapter Overview
Reference
 
Chapter 3: Vision and Information Processing
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Measurement of Visual Performance
     A. Acuity
     B. Contrast sensitivity function
     C. Other measures of visual performance
     D. Relationship between vision tests and driving performance
3.3 Structure and Performance of the Eye
     A. Structure
     B. The functioning of the visual system at different levels of illumination
     C. Implications for vision due to the structure of the eye
3.4 Glare
     A. Disability glare
     B. Discomfort glare
3.5 Twilight
3.6 Information Processing
3.7 Memory Questions
3.8 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 4: Driver Perception
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Perception as Contrasted with Sensation
     A. Definition
     B. The nature of perception
4.3 Illusions
4.4 Applications
4.5 Difficulties in Perception While Driving
     A. Problems with the roadway
     B. Violations of expectancy
     C. Judging distance to lights
4.6 The Intruding Vehicle
4.7 Positive Guidance
4.8 Eyewitness Testimony
4.9 Chapter Overview 
References
 
Chapter 5: Driver Eye Movements and Visual Attention
5.1 Introduction
     A. Terminology
     B. Method
5.2 Driver Eye Movements
5.3 Interior Glances
5.4 Use of Mirrors
     A. Duration of routine mirror glances
B. Duration of mirror glances in connection with merges and lane changes
     C. Mirror and direct rearward glances when changing lanes and merging
     D. The timing of rearward glances with respect to the gore
5.5 The Effect of Secondary Glances on Accident Avoidance
5.6 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 6: Judgments of Speed and Distance
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Perception of Distance
6.3 Perception of Speed
6.4 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 7: Visibility When Driving at Night
7.1 Introduction 
7.2 The Importance of Target Contrast
     A. Definition
     B. Calculating contrast
7.3 The Reflectivity of Objects in the Real World
7.4 Driver Vision at Night
     A. Vehicle lighting systems
     B. The visibility provided by automotive headlamps
7.5 Nighttime Driving Speeds
7.6 When Drivers "Overdrive" Their Headlamps
7.7 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 8: The Driver's Field of View
8.1 Introduction
8.2 What a Driver Must See
8.3 Field of View Targets
8.4 Driver Eye Locations
8.5 Binocular and Ambinocular Vision
8.6 Obstruction of the Forward Field of View
8.7 A-Pillar Obstruction of Intersecting Vehicles
8.8 A-pillar Obstruction of Pedestrians and Bicyclists
8.9 Measuring Pillar Obstructions in the Field
A. Measuring the ambinocular A-pillar obstruction of a pedestrian
     B. Measuring the ambinocular A-pillar obstruction of an intersecting vehicle
8.10 Obstructions to the Side and Rear
A. A note on convex mirrors ("Objects in mirror are closer than they appear")
     B. Mirrors and overtaking vehicles
     C. Pillar obstructions to the side and rear direct fields of view
8.11 The Field of View from Large Trucks
8.12 Measuring the Field of View in Large Trucks
8.13 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 9: Factors That Affect the Driver's Vision under Nighttime Driving Conditions
9.1 Introduction
9.2 PCDETECT
9.3 The Distance-Squared Law and Visibility Level
9.4 Comparisons
     A. Target's reflectance
     B. Target's location
     C. Target's size
     D. Driver's age
     E. Contrast sensitivity
     F. Headlamp misaim
     G. Headlamp intensity
     H. Glare
     I. Lamp mounting height
     J. Lateral separation
9.5 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 10: Conspicuity
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Sign Conspicuity
10.3 Motorcycle Conspicuity
10.4 Truck Conspicuity
10.5 Pedestrian and Pavement Delineation Conspicuity
10.6 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 11: The Older Driver
11.1 Older Drivers: Who Are These Guys?
11.2 Driving by the Elderly
11.3 Sensory Changes
     A. Vision
     B. Other senses
11.4 Judgment of Closing Speed-Gap Acceptance
11.5 Cognitive and Motor Performance
     A. Attention
     B. Motor performance
11.6 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 12: Lighting Sources Other than Vehicle Headlamps
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Fixed Lighting Sources
     A. Mercury
     B. High-pressure sodium
     C. Metal halide
     D. Fluorescent
     E. Low-pressure sodium
12.3 The Distribution of Illuminance from Street Lamps
12.4 Loss in Performance of Light Sources
12.5 The Scene When Illuminated by Fixed Sources
12.6 Research on the Performance of Fixed Lighting Systems
12.7 Recommendations for Street Lighting
12.8 Assessment of Visibility in a Field Investigation
12.9 Chapter Overview
References
 
Chapter 13: Evaluation of Visibility in the Field
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Why do a Field Investigation?
13.3 Preparatory Phase
     A. Physical facilities
     B. Vehicles
     C. Vehicle lighting and marking equipment
13.4 Execution Stage
13.5 Analysis and Interpretation
13.6 Chapter Overview 
Reference
 
Chapter 14: Problems in the Use of Nighttime Photography as Evidence in Litigation
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Limitations in the Camera-Film System
14.3 Perceptual-Cognitive Issues
     A. Field of view
     B. Static versus dynamic viewing
     C. Viewing time
     D. Adaptation level
     E. Image size
     F. Depth perception
     G. Observer expectancy
14.4 Implications
14.5 Chapter Overview
Reference
 
Chapter 15: Driver Perception-Response Time
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Background
     A. Definition
     B. Stages of perception-response time
15.3 Human Perception-Response Time
     A. Background
     B. Driver perception-response time
15.4 Decision Sight Distance
15.5 Overview of Research
15.6 Factors Affecting Perception-Response Time
     A. Detection
     B. Identification
     C. Decision
     D. Response
     E. Night versus day
     F. Chemicals and driver fatigue
     G. Age and sex
     H. Cognitive load
15.7 Situations That Do Not Fit the Perception-Response Model
     A. No clearly defined entry
     B. Erroneous assumption or identification
15.8 Chapter Overview
References
 
About the Authors
Index

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