Overview
This best-selling reference pulls together the available information on two primary themes: What a driver could have (should have) seen or how long it takes to respond in an emergency situation. The book covers general principles of vision and perception, visibility with motor vehicle headlamps and with streetlighting, night photography, methods of evaluation, basic perception-response situations and complicating factors.Many cases come down to questions of what a driver could have or should have seen or how long it would take a driver to respond in an emergency situation. The book is divided into two sections. The first, dealing with perception, consists of several chapters covering the general principles of vision and perception, visibility with motor vehicle head lamps, visibility with street lighting, night photography, and methods of evaluation. The second section, dealing with driver perception response time, consists of two chapters covering basic perception-response situations and those with complicating factors.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Olson has authored many reports, publications, and book chapters on Human Factors research he conducted at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and at General Motors Research Laboratories. Since 1993, Dr. Olson has served as a consultant in litigation regarding issues concerning his original research.
Synopsis
This best-selling reference pulls together the available information on two primary themes: What a driver could have (should have) seen or how long it takes to respond in an emergency situation. The book covers general principles of vision and perception, visibility with motor vehicle headlamps and with streetlighting, night photography, methods of evaluation, basic perception-response situations and complicating factors.
Many cases come down to questions of what a driver could have or should have seen or how long it would take a driver to respond in an emergency situation. The book is divided into two sections. The first, dealing with perception, consists of several chapters covering the general principles of vision and perception, visibility with motor vehicle head lamps, visibility with street lighting, night photography, and methods of evaluation. The second section, dealing with driver perception response time, consists of two chapters covering basic perception-response situations and those with complicating factors.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Olson has authored many reports, publications, and book chapters on Human Factors research he conducted at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and at General Motors Research Laboratories. Since 1993, Dr. Olson has served as a consultant in litigation regarding issues concerning his original research.
Science and Justice
The great strength of this book is Paul Olsons constant theme that life rarely reflects the test conditions . It will make a useful addition to the library of any accident investigator who wants or needs to go beyond determining speed.