Drivers’ ability to detect pedestrians depends not only on the power and “range” of their headlights, an-other important factor is “light scatter”. Can pedestrians be detected more quickly with more expensive Xenon and LED headlights than they can be with low-cost halogen headlamps? Is it possible to bring about a significant improvement by changing the bulbs in halogen headlights? With the aim of answering these questions, light tests were carried out using an Audi A4 with halogen, Xenon and LED lights and with a variety of bulbs in the halogen headlights. The results are compared with the outcome of a test involving a Series 1 BMW. Now it is possible to analyze whether pedestrians are easier to detect with Xenon or LED systems than with halogen headlights. The results clearly demonstrate the limits of new headlight designs and the need for adaptive lighting systems.

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