NTL Record

Title Visual performance assessment through clear and sunscreen-treated windows.
Record ID 39350
Personal Name
Creator
Welsh, Kenneth W.; Rasmussen, Paul G.; Vaughan, John A.
Corporate Creator Civil Aeromedical Institute
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Office of Aviation Medicine
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19780900
Language English
Abstract Reflective sunscreen filters are frequently bonded to vehicle windows to reduce interior heat and brightness. The present study was conducted to investigate the optical properties of and visual preformance through clear and sunscreen-treated glass panels that served as windows in an observation booth. Five combinations of external and internal brightness levels were used. Light transmission values through the clear, gold, silver, and bronze panels were 92, 20, 18, and 8 percent, respectively. Visual performance tests were conducted at 6 m (20 ft) on 12 subjects with normal visual acuity and color vision. Two tasks were conducted under brightness levels on the external display and in the subject's booth, respectively, of 1:1, 5:1, 50:1, 5:5, and 50:5 fL. Visual acuity using Landolt C figures and scores on a contour identification task were minimally impaired for any luminance ratio when the clear (control) panel was used. With the sunscreen panels, scores on both tests decreased as a function of target brightness and panel density. With one external/internal luminance ratio(5:1), identification of signal light colors was generally impaired while viewing through sunscreen materials. Decreases were particularly evident for green and red lights presented at intermediate and low intensity levels.
Rosap ID dot:21138
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21138
TRT Terms Tinted glass; Window glass; Night visibility; Visibility; Vision tests; Brightness; Light transmission; Luminescence; Signal lights; Human subject testing
General Subjects Glass--Research; Visibility; Night vision; Vision--Testing; Brightness perception; Luminescence; Signal lights
Classification NTL - AVIATION - AVIATION;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Human Factors;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number FAA-AM-78-28; DOT/FAA/AM-78/28
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39300/39350/AM78-28.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository