Glare study of unbound headlamp leveling in motorcycles

Mr.Shreyas Thorat, Ms.Vishakha Bhagat, Mr.B.V. Shamsundara

Automotive Research Association of India, India.

bhagat.shl@araiindia.com

Abstract

India is a second largest two wheeled vehicle producer and user. In India two wheeled vehicles are moving in all traffic conditions and headlamp glare is one of the issues need to be addressed. This paper is devoted to study of negative consequences arising due to improper headlamp leveling in two wheelers and their elimination. In many motorcycles there is a provision to manually adjust the headlamp assembly. These headlamps generally not covered by body of the vehicles and can be easily move up-down by loosening the mounting locks by user. ECE R 53 specifies the leveling requirements of L category vehicles; however it fails to dictate the boundary positions for such headlamp movement. This causes improper adjustment by the user and hence results into unwanted glare. This paper discusses about a particular photometric case study conducted on a motorcycle with headlamp leveling and determines boundary conditions for the same. It also gives the comparison of two wheelers and other category of vehicles light distribution interaction. It proposes a need of improvisation in regulation and it’s specifications for manual headlamp leveling in motorcycles. This shall ensure that the upward movement of headlamp is restricted beyond the specified limits where glare can occur.