Conference proceeding
Visibility of rectangular targets as a function of length and width
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS SOCIETY 43RD ANNUAL MEETING, VOLS 1 AND 2, pp.1367-1371
1999
DOI: 10.1177/154193129904302322
Abstract
The human threshold contrast of circular targets has been thoroughly studied by Blackwell and his data has been used in a number of visibility prediction models. These models either assumed the difference in visibility between circular and non-circular targets to be negligible or they used some form of a target shape conversion method. The present research is an effort to quantify the effects of the target aspect-ratio (shorter dimension to longer dimension) on the human threshold contrast. Threshold contrast data from two published target detection studies were combined with data from a small laboratory experiment conducted at Ohio University using a regression model (adjusted R-2=0.991). The results clearly suggest that small aspect-ratios should be used if, for a given target area, the rectangular target visibility must be maximized. Applications of this research may include retro-reflective conspicuity markings used for improved nighttime visibility of pedestrians and vehicles or reflectorized posts of crossbucks at passive railroad crossings.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Visibility of rectangular targets as a function of length and width
- Creators
- Thomas SchnellHelmut T Zwahlen
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Publication Details
- PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS SOCIETY 43RD ANNUAL MEETING, VOLS 1 AND 2, pp.1367-1371
- DOI
- 10.1177/154193129904302322
- ISSN
- 2169-5067
- eISSN
- 1071-1813
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1999
- Academic Unit
- Electrical and Computer Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Neurology; Mechanical Engineering; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984239286202771
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