The locations of headlamps and driver eye positions in vehicles sold in the USA

Abstract

Information about the locations of headlamps and driver eye positions is important in estimating the performance of a variety of traffic-safety equipment, such as retroreflective traffic signs and markings, rearview mirrors, and headlamps. Driver eye height is also an important factor in determining safe sight distances on vertical curves. However, no comprehensive database concerning the locations of headlamps and driver eye positions exists for the current US fleet. The present study was designed to obtain such information for vehicles currently sold in the USA. The information was derived from the 15 bestselling cars and the 15 best-selling light trucks and vans. These 30 vehicles represent 52% of all vehicles sold in the USA in 1995. For headlamp locations, actual vehicle measurements were made. For driver eye positions, dimensional information provided by vehicle manufacturers was used to estimate the location of the driver seating reference point. A computer model that predicts the relationship of the driver eye position to the driver seating reference point was then used to calculate driver eye positions. The obtained information includes sales-weighted mean dimensions for the locations of headlamps and driver eye positions, calculated separately for cars and for light trucks and vans.