Relation between Type Approval Requirements and Exploitation Requirements for Headlighting in Europe

Tomasz Targosinski Motor Transport Institute ITS

Warsaw, Poland

tomasz.targosinski@its.waw.pl

Abstract—The performance of headlights during exploitation are basically dependent on type approval requirements. In operational requirements it is assumed that the basic type approval photometric requirements are met during exploitation. However, this assumption has not been described and tested. In addition, the actual photometric values may differ from expectations, because they are dependent on different  factors such as geometric tolerance of light source or cut-off inclination. Awareness of drivers and car service regarding headlights are often not satisfactory. As a result, traffic safety during the   night is significantly impaired. There are described important  factors of the current approval requirements influencing for road illumination quality. Important issue is also the glare control. Visual headlamp adjustment on the basis of the cut-off and a subjective assessment is the only requirement to allow the vehicle participate in traffic. Moreover drivers and enforcement believe that it is sufficient for safe driving at night at common speeds permitted by law.

Keywords- Headlamps, reqiurements, glare, road illumination