Human Centered Systems Research
Visibility Program
The Visibility Program conducts research to provide enhanced visual information and guidance to the driver for improving efficiency and safety on the highway. The data from these experiments will be used for possible Federal rulemaking on minimum retroreflectivity standards for pavement markings and markers on America's highways.
On a per mile basis, the largest number of run-off-the-road crashes occurs at night while negotiating curves on two-lane rural roads. Therefore, the primary focus of the Visibility Program research has been on reducing this type of crash.
The research has investigated drivers' responses to combinations of retroreflective pavement markings (PMs) and retroreflective raised pavement markers (RRPMs) applied to two-lane rural roads. Laboratory visibility experiments were conducted in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Highway Driving Simulator, and field validation experiments were conducted using the FHWA Field Research Vehicle.
From these experiments, researchers determined the relative effectiveness of PMs and RRPMs, and estimated possible luminance trading relationships between centerlines, edge lines, and RRPMs, when applied in different combinations. The effectiveness of these roadway delineation treatments was determined by the distance at which the driver can recognize a curve ahead in the road, and the subsequent safe negotiation of the curve by the driver.
Contact: Joe Moyer, 202-493-3370
