PURPOSES : This study aimed to examine the relationship between discomfort glare and different types of lighting, including low-mounted lighting and conventional pole lighting. Although roadway lighting has been widely acknowledged as a countermeasure for nighttime traffic safety, discomfort glare, which is incidentally derived from lighting, is one of the key elements to overcome. METHODS : We selected the Unified Glare Rating (UGR), defined as a globally accepted lighting standard, as a measure of the effect of discomfort glare. Artificial rain and fog conditions were reproduced at the Center of Road Weather Proving Ground (CRPG). RESULTS : As a result, we found that the UGR of low-mounted lighting is reduced by 57.96% compared to pole lighting under rainy conditions, and by 39.12% in the case of fog conditions. CONCLUSIONS : It is proposed that discomfort glare was significantly reduced in the case of low-mounted lighting compared to pole lighting under both rain and fog conditions. Discomfort glare hinders the visual performance of drivers, so it may be related to delayed reaction time and inappropriate driving behavior. Therefore, low-mounted lighting is strongly recommended on road sections that have a high frequency of traffic accidents and adverse weather patterns.

PURPOSES : In this study, the relationship between the types of road pavement markings and the visibility distance under adverse weather conditions was evaluated. METHODS : Rainy and foggy conditions at the weather proving ground were replicated in this study. The researchers recorded the visibility distance corresponding to each experiment scenario comprising the weather conditions and pavement marking types. RESULTS : Visibility distances under adverse weather conditions decreased more than those of normal weather conditions. Under rainy conditions, the average visibility distance across all pavement markings decreased by 33%. However, the average visibility distance across all pavement markings foggy conditions decreased by 46.8%. Based on the test results of the visibility distance, the speed reduction rates corresponding to the adverse and normal weather conditions, i.e., 24% and 36% speed reduction under rainy and foggy conditions, respectively, were established. CONCLUSIONS : This study validated the reduction in the visibility distance affected by weather conditions by applying actual road scale weather proving ground. In addition, speed reduction was recommended for safe driving under adverse weather conditions.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the level of the light-environment and the driver's visual ability on the change in the driver's perception of a forward curved section at night. The study also aims to identify factors that should be considered to ensure safety while entering curved sections of a road at night. METHODS : Data collected from a virtual driving experiment, conducted by the Korean Institute of Construction Technology (2017), were used. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the effects of changes in the light-environment factors (road surface luminance and glare) and the driver’s visual ability on a driver's perception of the road. Additionally, analysis of the moderated effect of visual ability on light-environment factors indicated that the difference in drivers’ visual abilities impact the influence of light-environment factors on their perception. A driver's ability to perceive, as a response variable, was categorized into 'failure' and 'success' by comparing the perceived distance and minimum reaction sight distance. Covariates were also defined. Road surface luminance levels were categorized into 'unlit road surface luminance' (luminance ≤ 0.1 nt) and 'lit road surface luminance' (luminance > 0.1 nt), based on 0.1 nt, which is the typical level observed on unlit roads. The glare level was categorized as 'with glare' and 'without glare' based on whether the glare was from a high-beam caused by an oncoming vehicle or not. The driver's visual ability level was categorized into 'low visual ability' (age ≥ 50) and 'high visual ability' (age ≤ 49), considering that after the age of 50, the drive’s visual ability sharply declines. RESULTS : The level of road surface luminance, glare, and driver's visual ability were analyzed to be significant factors that impact the driver's ability to perceive curved road sections at night. A driver's perception was found to reduce when the road surface luminance is very low, owing to the lack of road lighting ('unlit road luminance'), when glare is caused by oncoming vehicles ('with glare'), and if the driver's visual ability level is low owing to an older age ('low visual ability'). The driver's ability to perceive a curved section is most affected by the road surface luminance level. The effect is reduced in the order of glare occurrence and the driver's visual ability level. The visual ability was analyzed as a factor that impacts the intensity of the effect of change of the light-environment on the change of the driver's ability to perceive the road. The ability to perceive a curved section deteriorates significantly in 'low visual ability' drivers, aged 50 and above, compared to drivers with 'high visual ability,' under the age of 49, when the light-environment conditions are adverse with regard to the driver’s perception (road surface luminance: 'lit road surface luminance'→'unlit road surface luminance,' glare: 'without glare'→'with glare'). CONCLUSIONS : Supplementation, in terms of road lighting standards that can lead to improvements in the level of light-environment, should be considered first, rather than the implementation of restrictions on the right of movement, such as restricting the passage of low visual ability or aging drivers who are disadvantageous in terms of gaining good perception of the road at night. When establishing alternatives so that safety on roads at night is improved, it is necessary to consider improving drivers' perception by expanding road lighting installation. The road lighting criteria should be modified such that the glare caused by oncoming traffic, which is an influential factor in the linear change in perception, and the level of light-environment thereof are improved.

Adverse weather is a big challenge not only for the safety of drivers but the safety of Autonomous Vehicles (AV). The gap between human-driving and AV-driving in terms of adverse-weather-perception can be a new challenge for highway engineers. Solutions minimizing the gap need to be defined. By this, the smart road technologies can be specified and developed. The way how to define and quantify the gap is introduced in this presentation.

This paper investigates minimum safe distances relative to a ship’s four cardinal sides, as perceived by Filipino navigators when encountering dangerous elements and in adverse weather conditions when maneuvering in and around harbors. It uses a descriptive research method in the form of a questionnaire survey for experienced Filipino navigators of various ranks. During the course of research, 71 responses were colleted and the resulting data is presented in graphical and tabulated forms. Statistical methods including Pearson-product moment correlations, Cronbach’s Alpha and ANOVA were used to identify internal associations, consistencies and significances, respectively. It has been proven that there are no significant differences in minimum safe distances relative to a ship’s four cardinal sides, whether maneuvering while approaching a port or within an inner harbor. This study has been deemed significant for training future navigators, managing traffic in fairways, and designing harbors and maneuvering areas in the approaches to ports, among other applications. This work can also be used as a preliminary study for comparison with the well known safe domains presently in use.