Title: From headlamp illumination to headlamp performance: A critical review of the Ford Motor Company 'DETECT' model

Authors: M. Sivak, P.L. Olson

Addresses: The University of Michigan, Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2150, USA. ' The University of Michigan, Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2150, USA

Abstract: This article reviews a range of issues relevant to evaluating visibility provided by automobile headlamps, with emphasis on the driver visibility model DETECT that was developed by the Ford Motor Company. The first section of the article discusses general issues concerning evaluation of headlamp performance. The main sections of the article review the major failures of DETECT, its limitations, and suggested improvements. Finally, it is argued that further progress in the development of headlighting models and their increased acceptability is contingent on reaching a consensus regarding what good headlighting should be able to do. Consequently, a worldwide survey of experts in industry, academia, and government on desirable aspects of headlamp performance is advocated.

Keywords: headlighting; visibility; glare; modelling; nightime; performance evaluation; DETECT; CHESS; automotive headlamps; headlights; Ford Motor Co; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1987.061196

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1987 Vol.8 No.3, pp.271 - 281

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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