Abstract: While driving in the dark, we use artificial sources of light, i.e., the vehicle’s headlamps, to illuminate the road ahead. If we are the only road users, we can increase visibility by turning on our high beams. If, however, there are vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, the visibility conditions worsen. Firstly, because we switch our headlights to low beams; and secondly, because the lights of the oncoming vehicle cause our eyes to adapt to new conditions. The lights of the vehicles coming from the opposite direction glare, which makes our eyes respond. As our pupils constrict, we find the road ahead suddenly darker. Thus, if an obstacle appears on the road ahead, we are less likely to notice it early enough to avoid it. A good solution would be to use artificial illumination of the road. Under such conditions, the driver’s eye adaptation process is faster. It is possible to better observe the road around and avoid dazzling effects.
The aim of the study was to measure the luminous flux and analyze the distribution of the luminous intensity of a conventional reflector, as used in the A6 Audi headlight assembly, before and after modification. The modification involved laser-cutting the surface of the cover lens in order to change the luminous intensity distribution. As a moving vehicle is able to direct more light to the roadside, pedestrian safety will improve. The study of the low- and high-beams of the Valeo reflector was conducted under laboratory conditions and included a comparative analysis of the luminous intensity of the reflector before and after modification.
