The Effects of Vision Enhance Systems on Older Drivers' Ability to Drive Safely at Night and in Inclement Weather

Project summary:

The societal goals of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are to decrease congestion, pollution, and accidents. Many ITS technology initiatives are the product of advances in telecommunications, automotive electronics, and computing. A wide variety of new driver information systems are part of these initiatives in the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia. For example, driver information systems will include: in-vehicle telephony, laptop and personnel digital assistants (PDA's), on-road hazard warnings, in-vehicle signs, congestion and vehicle system monitoring, digital maps, and tourist and emergency services. In particular, this proposal will examine the efficacy of vision enhancement systems (VES) which are being developed to aide the driver 'see' by using sensors in the ultra-violet and infrared spectra and display the information as visible light in a head-up display that is overlaid on the traffic environment. The purpose of VES displays is to assist the driver at night, dusk, and in inclement weather.