Today the driver’s eyes collect all visual information on traffic flow and accident prevention. The intricate physiology of the human eye and the visual cortex is fit to discern vision noise from visual information sufficiently to guide a vehicle through traffic - in almost all cases.

The study of the performance of the vision system under disfavourable conditions exposes the limits. It provides immediate input to vision assistance. For example, it clarifies design criteria for more comfortable, hence safer, vehicle lighting systems. It assists the introduction of first, primitive vision functions in headlamps.

The paper details the study of visual performance, defines the resolution conditions for existing active safety devices and shows first examples of vision system applications in automotive headlamps.