Exploring the Influence of Tinted Windows and Other in-vehicle Distractions on Driver Detection of Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Project Description
This project seeks to address increasing road fatalities in the U.S., especially among pedestrians and bicyclists, by investigating how vehicle features such as tinted windows and in-vehicle screens impact driver visual perception and the safety of vulnerable road users. The scope centers on visibility-related safety issues near intersections and the potential added risks posed by heavily tinted windows, which may hinder both driver detection of pedestrians/cyclists and police or witness identification. The objectives are to experimentally evaluate the effect of varying window tint levels and screen use on driver attention, detection ability, and overall safety in low-light and low-contrast conditions. The method involves controlled studies using advanced eye-tracking technology to measure driver performance and behavior across multiple tint percentages, ultimately informing safer vehicle and roadway practices for non-motorized users that align with the Safe Systems Approach.
Outputs
This research will generate empirical evidence on how different levels of tint impact drivers’ ability to detect VRUs, particularly in low-light conditions, and identify critical visibility thresholds where detection rates become significantly impaired. Additionally, it will provide insights into how in-vehicle screen distractions affect driver attention and detection rates, analyzing whether the combination of tinted windows and screen distractions leads to compounded safety risks. Finally, this research will contribute to transportation safety studies by addressing the understudied intersection of tinting, driver perception, and VRU safety, providing a foundation for future research into other visual impairments in vehicle design and their effects on traffic safety. All those considerations would be outlined in the final report, and at least one publication would be sought from the research outcomes of this project.
Other project dissemination activities include:
Events participation: The research outcomes will be communicated at conferences and public events and demonstrated to local, national, and international research colleagues.
Class Materials: The research outcomes will be incorporated in CE 482/582 "Highway and Traffic Engineering" class at UNM by reflecting on the need to understand road users’ human factors and include them in engineering safer vehicles.
Outcomes/Impacts
The findings of this project will have important policy and regulatory implications, offering evidence to inform state and federal regulations on allowable tint levels and potentially recommending revisions to New Mexico’s and other states’ existing tint laws if increased risks to VRUs are identified. From a technological and design perspective, the study will offer insights for vehicle manufacturers and safety organizations on how tinting and in-vehicle screens influence driver behavior, guiding the integration of safer in-vehicle technologies and adjusting regulations for aftermarket tinting.
Dates
12/1/2025 to 11/30/2026
Universities
University of New Mexico
Principal Investigator
Lisa L. Losada-Rojas
llosadar@unm.edu
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7221-4900
Project Partners
None
Research Project Funding
Non-Federal: $116,668
Contract Number
69A3552348336
Project Number
25UNM04
Research Priority
Promoting Safety