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Car Backlight Position and Fog Density Bias Observer-Car Distance Estimates and Time-to-Collision Judgments

Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

Martin Brandt

Mannheim University, Mannheim, Germany

Raoul Bell

Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

Judith Weise

Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany

Objective: A series of experiments assessed biases in perceived distance that occur while driving as a function of the backlight position of the car ahead and fog density. Background: V. Cavallo, M. Colomb, and J. Doré (2001) have shown that smaller horizontal backlight separation and fog may result in increased estimates of the distance between an observer and a car of which only the backlights are visible. They also predicted that raising the height of the car backlights would lead to increasing distance estimates. Method: Distance perception was assessed in both static and dynamic computer-simulated scenarios in which the distance estimates were performed using a familiarized analog scale or using time-to-collision judgments for both pairs of backlights and single backlights. Results: In a series of five experiments, the horizontal separation and fog density effects were replicated. In addition, distance estimates were consistently larger with higher than with lower vertical backlight positions. Conclusion: There is reason to believe that biases in distance perception may be augmented by car backlight positions and by low-visibility weather conditions. Application: Car designers should take backlight placement seriously. Speed-dependent car-to-car distance control systems seem desirable to counteract biases in distance perception.

Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Vol. 48, No. 2, 300-317 (2006)
DOI: 10.1518/001872006777724363


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