LIGHT AND VISION 2-29

E_
_
t
+
a
E
=
t
where E = threshold illumination at the eye for
a steady source (foot candles)
E
=
threshold illumination at the eye for
a flashing source (footcandles)
t
=
duration of the flash (seconds)
a
=
0.21 second
Note: It is assumed that the observer knows the location of the source
and is looking toward it.
If it is necessary to locate a flashing light of a known brightness (above
threshold) when its approximate position is not known, the time con-
sumed in searching for it is a function of its brightness and flash duration
and of the area searched.
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This is expressed:
t = T
MS -Vi)
where t

average search time before finding source
(seconds)
T
=
duration
of
cycle (flash duration
+
dark
period in seconds)
</>
=
solid angle subtended by the area searched
(steradians)
S
=
external solid angle corresponding to
retinal area for which the illumination
produced by the source is above threshold
(steradians)
Color contrast. When it is necessary to recognize correctly which color
of a multicolor signal system is viewed, the illumination produced at the
eye must be greater than that required for merely detecting the presence
of the same source. Usually the more complicated the system the higher
the threshold for each color: to provide positive recognition of each color
of a three-color system requires more illumination at the eye than that
required for positive recognition of each color in a two-color system but
not as much illumination as required from each color of a four- or five-
color system.
The individual spectral distribution characteristics of each color used in
a system and their relationships also influence the value of illumination
required at the recognition threshold. A system of colors of nonover-
lapped spectral distributions with steep slopes requires less illumination
at the recognition threshold- than a similar system with overlapping spec-
tral distributions of gradual slope.
Because small changes in atmospheric conditions as well as in spectral
distributions cause appreciable differences in the illumination required at
the threshold of recognition, great care must be taken in applying any ex-
perimental data to new problems.
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