The illuminated surface areas of high-intensity discharge and tungsten halogen headlamps in the USA

Abstract

,!This study was designed to compare the illuminated surface areas of high-intensity discharge (HID) and tungsten halogen low-beam headlamps in the USA. A sample of 20 tungsten halogen lamps and 17 HID lamps for model year 2000 vehicles in the US was examined. The illuminated surface area was determined using a modified version of an Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) method for evaluating the illuminated surface of signalling devices. The main finding is that the HID low (passing) beams generally have smaller illuminated surface areas than do the tungsten halogen low beams. Because smaller light sources result in more discomfort glare (presumably via greater luminance), the present finding suggests that the smaller illuminated area is one reason for drivers reporting more discomfort from HID lamps. An implication is that the increased discomfort from HID lamps could be reduced by increasing their illuminated surface area.

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