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Driving Safety and Comfort: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Role of Automobile Headlights

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 36 - 52, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30516/bilgesci.1653298

Abstract

This study analyzes research trends in vehicle headlights, focusing on publications related to driving safety and comfort. The research aims to reveal the developments in headlight technologies, the effects of lighting performance on driving safety and comfort, the use of headlights in different road and weather conditions, and the general trends in scientific studies on these subjects. A combined quantitative and visual analysis approach is used to comprehensively understand the intellectual accumulation, citation patterns, influential researchers, and the evolution of research themes over time. The analysis covers 953 publications, linked to 241 publications obtained using the keywords "vehicle or car and headlight or headlamp," and reveals a recent increase in research activities, especially in 2021-2024, reflecting the automotive industry's emphasis on advanced driver assistance systems and innovative lighting technologies. Multi-authored publications were found to have higher citation counts, demonstrating the value of collaboration. Temporal distribution analysis shows an increasing research interest in vehicle headlights. The findings highlight key influencers and collaboration networks within the field, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in addressing common challenges related to road safety and driving innovation. This study provides insights into emerging research trends and potential gaps, guiding future research directions in the pursuit of safer and more comfortable driving experiences.

References

  • Brumbelow, M. L. (2022). Light where it matters: IIHS headlight ratings are correlated with nighttime crash rates. In Journal of Safety Research (Vol. 83, p. 379). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2022.09.013
  • Bukar, U. A., Sayeed, M. S., Razak, A., Yogarayan, S., Amodu, O. A., & Mahmood, R. A. R. (2023). A method for analyzing text using VOSviewer. In MethodsX (Vol. 11, p. 102339). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339
  • César, D. S. B., María, C., & Martínez, L. I. (2016). Influence of headlamp lighting parameters on nighttime sight distance. In Proc., Int. Conf. on Traffic and Transport Engineering (pp. 88-94).
  • Chen, Y. L., Wu, B. F., Huang, H. Y., & Fan, C. J. (2010). A real-time vision system for nighttime vehicle detection and traffic surveillance. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 58(5), 2030-2044.
  • Cipollina, M., Benedictis, L. D., & Scibè, E. (2021). Environmental migration? An overview of the literature. In arXiv (Cornell University). Cornell University. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2112.
  • Dawid, A., & Buchwald, P. (2024). The system of headlights operation recognition using the digital twin method. International Journal of Electronics and Telecommunications, 51-58.
  • Fechtner, H., Stenner, M., Schuster, J., Kliem, T., Teschner, T., & Schmuelling, B. (2019). Automatic Headlight Leveling System with a Modular Design for the Automotive Aftermarket (p. 357). https://doi.org/10.1109/icce-berlin47944.2019.8966139 Franz, M. L. (2009). Local agency traffic sign retroreflectivity case study and model of observed traffic sign light intensity. West Virginia University.
  • Friedland, H. T. (2012). The effectiveness of glare-obscuring glasses on nighttime driving performance. San Jose State University.
  • Gaston, K. J., & Holt, L. A. (2018). Nature, extent and ecological implications of night-time light from road vehicles. The Journal of applied ecology, 55(5), 2296–2307. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13157
  • Girvan, M., & Newman, M. E. J. (2002). Community structure in social and biological networks [Review of Community structure in social and biological networks]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(12), 7821. National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.122653799
  • Glück, T., Biermann, T., Wolf, A., Budig, S., Ziebehl, A., Knöchelmann, M., & Lachmayer, R. (2021). Distraction potential of vehicle-based on-road projection. Applied Sciences, 11(24), 12030.
  • González-Brignardello, M. P., Paniagua, Á. S.-E., & López-González, M. Á. (2023). Academic Procrastination in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review [Review of Academic Procrastination in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review]. Children, 10(6), 1016. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061016
  • Husaeni, D. F. A., & Nandiyanto, A. B. D. (2021). Bibliometric Using Vosviewer with Publish or Perish (using Google Scholar data): From Step-by-step Processing for Users to the Practical Examples in the Analysis of Digital Learning Articles in Pre and Post Covid-19 Pandemic. In ASEAN Journal of Science and Engineering (Vol. 2, Issue 1, p. 19). Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Press. https://doi.org/10.17509/ajse.v2i1.37368
  • Jermakian, J. S. (2011). Crash avoidance potential of four passenger vehicle technologies. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(3), 732-740.
  • Kosmulski, M. (2017). Are you in top 1% (1‰)? In Scientometrics (Vol. 114, Issue 2, p. 557). Springer Nature (Netherlands). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2526-4
  • Landwehr, J. R., McGill, A. L., & Herrmann, A. (2011). It's got the look: The effect of friendly and aggressive “facial” expressions on product liking and sales. Journal of marketing, 75(3), 132-146.
  • Lin, M. R., & Kraus, J. F. (2009). A review of risk factors and patterns of motorcycle injuries. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 41(4), 710-722.
  • López, A. M., Hilgenstock, J., Busse, A., Baldrich, R. M., Lumbreras, F., & Serrat, J. (2008). Nighttime Vehicle Detection for Intelligent Headlight Control. In Lecture notes in computer science (p. 113). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88458-3_11
  • Maltese, S. (2019). Comprehensive examination of automotive product impact. A look ahead in light of sustainable development challenges: the Magneti Marelli Spa business case.
  • Mehri, A., Dehghan, S. F., Hajizadeh, R., Zakerian, S. A., Mohammadi, H., & Abbasi, M. (2017). Survey of discomfort glare from the headlamps of cars widely used in Iran. In Traffic Injury Prevention (Vol. 18, Issue 7, p. 711). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2017.1310379
  • Merola, F., Bernardeschi, C., & Lami, G. (2024). A Risk Assessment Framework Based on Fuzzy Logic for Automotive Systems. Safety, 10(2), 41.
  • O'Malley, R., Jones, E., & Glavin, M. (2010). Rear-lamp vehicle detection and tracking in low-exposure color video for night conditions. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 11(2), 453-462.
  • Quddus, M. A., Noland, R. B., & Chin, H. C. (2002). An analysis of motorcycle injury and vehicle damage severity using ordered probit models. Journal of Safety research, 33(4), 445-462.
  • Redner, S. (1998). How popular is your paper? An empirical study of the citation distribution. In The European Physical Journal B (Vol. 4, Issue 2, p. 131). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050359
  • Sivak, M., Flannagan, M., & Gellatly, A. W. (1993). Influence of truck driver eye position on effectiveness of retroreflective traffic signs. International Journal of Lighting Research and Technology, 25(1), 31-36.
  • Sun, Y., Zuo, W., & Liu, M. (2019). RTFNet: RGB-thermal fusion network for semantic segmentation of urban scenes. IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 4(3), 2576-2583.
  • Toney, G., & Bhargava, C. (2021). Adaptive headlamps in automobile: A review on the models, detection techniques, and mathematical models. In IEEE ACCESS (Vol. 9, p. 87462). https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3088036
  • Toney, G., & Shetty, A. D. (2021). Design & implementation of smart headlamps, overtaking assistance for automobiles using matlab. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(10), 286-293.
  • Unzueta, L., Nieto, M., Cortés, A., Barandiaran, J., Otaegui, O., & Sánchez, P. (2011). Adaptive multicue background subtraction for robust vehicle counting and classification. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 13(2), 527-540.
  • Uysal, M., Ghassemlooy, Z., Bekkali, A., Kadri, A., & Menouar, H. (2015). Visible light communication for vehicular networking: Performance study of a V2V system using a measured headlamp beam pattern model. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 10(4), 45-53.
  • Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2013). VOSviewer manual. Leiden: Univeristeit Leiden, 1(1), 1-53.
  • Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2017). VOSviewer Manual. https://www.vosviewer.com/download/f-y2z2.pdf Vrábel, J., Stopka, O., Paľo, J., Stopková, M., Dróździel, P., & Michalsky, M. (2023). Research Regarding Different Types of Headlights on Selected Passenger Vehicles when Using Sensor-Related Equipment. In Sensors (Vol. 23, Issue 4, p. 1978). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23041978
  • Weaver, B. W., & DeLucia, P. R. (2022). Effect of motorcycle lighting configurations on drivers’ perceptions of closing during nighttime driving. In Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour (Vol. 90, p. 333). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.08.017
  • Whitney, E., Mahato, D., Odell, T., Khan, Y. R., & Siddiqi, J. (2019). The 100-most Cited Articles About Craniectomy and Hemicraniectomy: A Bibliometric Analysis [Review of The 100-most Cited Articles About Craniectomy and Hemicraniectomy: A Bibliometric Analysis]. Cureus. Cureus, Inc. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5524
  • Xie, L., Chen, Z., Wang, H., Zheng, C., & Jiang, J. (2020). Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Scientific Publications on Atlantoaxial Spine Surgery Based on Web of Science and VOSviewer [Review of Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Scientific Publications on Atlantoaxial Spine Surgery Based on Web of Science and VOSviewer]. World Neurosurgery, 137, 435. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.01.171
  • Yan, L., & Zhiping, W. (2023). Mapping the Literature on Academic Publishing: A Bibliometric Analysis on WOS. In SAGE Open (Vol. 13, Issue 1). SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231158562
  • Zhou, J., Gao, D., & Zhang, D. (2007). Moving vehicle detection for automatic traffic monitoring. IEEE transactions on vehicular technology, 56(1), 51-59.

Sürüş Güvenliği ve Konforu: Araba Farlarının Rolü Üzerine Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 36 - 52, 30.09.2025
https://doi.org/10.30516/bilgesci.1653298

Abstract

Bu çalışma, araç farlarındaki araştırma eğilimlerini analiz ederek, sürüş güvenliği ve konforu ile ilgili yayınlara odaklanmaktadır. Araştırma, far teknolojilerindeki gelişmelerin (LED, lazer vb.), aydınlatma performansının sürüş güvenliği ve konforuna etkilerini, farklı yol ve hava koşullarında far kullanımını ve bu konularda yapılan bilimsel çalışmaların genel eğilimlerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Entelektüel birikimi, atıf düzenlerini, etkili araştırmacıları ve zaman içindeki araştırma temalarının evrimini kapsamlı bir şekilde anlamak için kombine bir nicel ve görsel analiz yaklaşımı kullanılmaktadır. Analiz, “(vehicle or car) and (headlight or headlamp)” anahtar kelimeleri kullanılarak elde edilen 241yayının bağlantılı olduğu 953 yayını kapsamakta olup, özellikle 2021-2024'te olmak üzere araştırma faaliyetlerinde son zamanlarda bir artış olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır ve bu da otomotiv endüstrisinin gelişmiş sürücü destek sistemlerine ve yenilikçi aydınlatma teknolojilerine verdiği önemi yansıtmaktadır. Çok yazarlı yayınların daha yüksek atıf sayılarına sahip olduğu bulunmuştur, bu da işbirliğinin değerini göstermektedir. Zamansal dağılım analizi, araç farlarına yönelik artan bir araştırma ilgisini göstermektedir. Bulgular, alan içindeki kilit etkileyicileri ve işbirliği ağlarını vurgulayarak, yol güvenliği ile ilgili ortak zorlukların ele alınmasında ve inovasyonun yönlendirilmesinde uluslararası ortaklıkların önemini vurgulamaktadır. Bu çalışma, daha güvenli ve daha konforlu sürüş deneyimleri arayışında gelecekteki araştırma yönlerine rehberlik ederek, ortaya çıkan araştırma eğilimleri ve potansiyel boşluklar hakkında içgörüler sağlamaktadır.

References

  • Brumbelow, M. L. (2022). Light where it matters: IIHS headlight ratings are correlated with nighttime crash rates. In Journal of Safety Research (Vol. 83, p. 379). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2022.09.013
  • Bukar, U. A., Sayeed, M. S., Razak, A., Yogarayan, S., Amodu, O. A., & Mahmood, R. A. R. (2023). A method for analyzing text using VOSviewer. In MethodsX (Vol. 11, p. 102339). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339
  • César, D. S. B., María, C., & Martínez, L. I. (2016). Influence of headlamp lighting parameters on nighttime sight distance. In Proc., Int. Conf. on Traffic and Transport Engineering (pp. 88-94).
  • Chen, Y. L., Wu, B. F., Huang, H. Y., & Fan, C. J. (2010). A real-time vision system for nighttime vehicle detection and traffic surveillance. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 58(5), 2030-2044.
  • Cipollina, M., Benedictis, L. D., & Scibè, E. (2021). Environmental migration? An overview of the literature. In arXiv (Cornell University). Cornell University. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2112.
  • Dawid, A., & Buchwald, P. (2024). The system of headlights operation recognition using the digital twin method. International Journal of Electronics and Telecommunications, 51-58.
  • Fechtner, H., Stenner, M., Schuster, J., Kliem, T., Teschner, T., & Schmuelling, B. (2019). Automatic Headlight Leveling System with a Modular Design for the Automotive Aftermarket (p. 357). https://doi.org/10.1109/icce-berlin47944.2019.8966139 Franz, M. L. (2009). Local agency traffic sign retroreflectivity case study and model of observed traffic sign light intensity. West Virginia University.
  • Friedland, H. T. (2012). The effectiveness of glare-obscuring glasses on nighttime driving performance. San Jose State University.
  • Gaston, K. J., & Holt, L. A. (2018). Nature, extent and ecological implications of night-time light from road vehicles. The Journal of applied ecology, 55(5), 2296–2307. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13157
  • Girvan, M., & Newman, M. E. J. (2002). Community structure in social and biological networks [Review of Community structure in social and biological networks]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99(12), 7821. National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.122653799
  • Glück, T., Biermann, T., Wolf, A., Budig, S., Ziebehl, A., Knöchelmann, M., & Lachmayer, R. (2021). Distraction potential of vehicle-based on-road projection. Applied Sciences, 11(24), 12030.
  • González-Brignardello, M. P., Paniagua, Á. S.-E., & López-González, M. Á. (2023). Academic Procrastination in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review [Review of Academic Procrastination in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review]. Children, 10(6), 1016. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061016
  • Husaeni, D. F. A., & Nandiyanto, A. B. D. (2021). Bibliometric Using Vosviewer with Publish or Perish (using Google Scholar data): From Step-by-step Processing for Users to the Practical Examples in the Analysis of Digital Learning Articles in Pre and Post Covid-19 Pandemic. In ASEAN Journal of Science and Engineering (Vol. 2, Issue 1, p. 19). Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Press. https://doi.org/10.17509/ajse.v2i1.37368
  • Jermakian, J. S. (2011). Crash avoidance potential of four passenger vehicle technologies. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(3), 732-740.
  • Kosmulski, M. (2017). Are you in top 1% (1‰)? In Scientometrics (Vol. 114, Issue 2, p. 557). Springer Nature (Netherlands). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2526-4
  • Landwehr, J. R., McGill, A. L., & Herrmann, A. (2011). It's got the look: The effect of friendly and aggressive “facial” expressions on product liking and sales. Journal of marketing, 75(3), 132-146.
  • Lin, M. R., & Kraus, J. F. (2009). A review of risk factors and patterns of motorcycle injuries. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 41(4), 710-722.
  • López, A. M., Hilgenstock, J., Busse, A., Baldrich, R. M., Lumbreras, F., & Serrat, J. (2008). Nighttime Vehicle Detection for Intelligent Headlight Control. In Lecture notes in computer science (p. 113). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88458-3_11
  • Maltese, S. (2019). Comprehensive examination of automotive product impact. A look ahead in light of sustainable development challenges: the Magneti Marelli Spa business case.
  • Mehri, A., Dehghan, S. F., Hajizadeh, R., Zakerian, S. A., Mohammadi, H., & Abbasi, M. (2017). Survey of discomfort glare from the headlamps of cars widely used in Iran. In Traffic Injury Prevention (Vol. 18, Issue 7, p. 711). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2017.1310379
  • Merola, F., Bernardeschi, C., & Lami, G. (2024). A Risk Assessment Framework Based on Fuzzy Logic for Automotive Systems. Safety, 10(2), 41.
  • O'Malley, R., Jones, E., & Glavin, M. (2010). Rear-lamp vehicle detection and tracking in low-exposure color video for night conditions. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 11(2), 453-462.
  • Quddus, M. A., Noland, R. B., & Chin, H. C. (2002). An analysis of motorcycle injury and vehicle damage severity using ordered probit models. Journal of Safety research, 33(4), 445-462.
  • Redner, S. (1998). How popular is your paper? An empirical study of the citation distribution. In The European Physical Journal B (Vol. 4, Issue 2, p. 131). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050359
  • Sivak, M., Flannagan, M., & Gellatly, A. W. (1993). Influence of truck driver eye position on effectiveness of retroreflective traffic signs. International Journal of Lighting Research and Technology, 25(1), 31-36.
  • Sun, Y., Zuo, W., & Liu, M. (2019). RTFNet: RGB-thermal fusion network for semantic segmentation of urban scenes. IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 4(3), 2576-2583.
  • Toney, G., & Bhargava, C. (2021). Adaptive headlamps in automobile: A review on the models, detection techniques, and mathematical models. In IEEE ACCESS (Vol. 9, p. 87462). https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2021.3088036
  • Toney, G., & Shetty, A. D. (2021). Design & implementation of smart headlamps, overtaking assistance for automobiles using matlab. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(10), 286-293.
  • Unzueta, L., Nieto, M., Cortés, A., Barandiaran, J., Otaegui, O., & Sánchez, P. (2011). Adaptive multicue background subtraction for robust vehicle counting and classification. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 13(2), 527-540.
  • Uysal, M., Ghassemlooy, Z., Bekkali, A., Kadri, A., & Menouar, H. (2015). Visible light communication for vehicular networking: Performance study of a V2V system using a measured headlamp beam pattern model. IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, 10(4), 45-53.
  • Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2013). VOSviewer manual. Leiden: Univeristeit Leiden, 1(1), 1-53.
  • Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2017). VOSviewer Manual. https://www.vosviewer.com/download/f-y2z2.pdf Vrábel, J., Stopka, O., Paľo, J., Stopková, M., Dróździel, P., & Michalsky, M. (2023). Research Regarding Different Types of Headlights on Selected Passenger Vehicles when Using Sensor-Related Equipment. In Sensors (Vol. 23, Issue 4, p. 1978). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23041978
  • Weaver, B. W., & DeLucia, P. R. (2022). Effect of motorcycle lighting configurations on drivers’ perceptions of closing during nighttime driving. In Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour (Vol. 90, p. 333). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.08.017
  • Whitney, E., Mahato, D., Odell, T., Khan, Y. R., & Siddiqi, J. (2019). The 100-most Cited Articles About Craniectomy and Hemicraniectomy: A Bibliometric Analysis [Review of The 100-most Cited Articles About Craniectomy and Hemicraniectomy: A Bibliometric Analysis]. Cureus. Cureus, Inc. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5524
  • Xie, L., Chen, Z., Wang, H., Zheng, C., & Jiang, J. (2020). Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Scientific Publications on Atlantoaxial Spine Surgery Based on Web of Science and VOSviewer [Review of Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Scientific Publications on Atlantoaxial Spine Surgery Based on Web of Science and VOSviewer]. World Neurosurgery, 137, 435. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.01.171
  • Yan, L., & Zhiping, W. (2023). Mapping the Literature on Academic Publishing: A Bibliometric Analysis on WOS. In SAGE Open (Vol. 13, Issue 1). SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231158562
  • Zhou, J., Gao, D., & Zhang, D. (2007). Moving vehicle detection for automatic traffic monitoring. IEEE transactions on vehicular technology, 56(1), 51-59.
There are 37 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Material Production Technologies
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Süleyman Gökova 0000-0001-9620-1760

Publication Date September 30, 2025
Submission Date March 7, 2025
Acceptance Date September 27, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Gökova, S. (2025). Driving Safety and Comfort: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Role of Automobile Headlights. Bilge International Journal of Science and Technology Research, 9(2), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.30516/bilgesci.1653298