Зоны слепого обзора транспортных средств

Area around vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver while at the controls

A blind spot in a vehicle or vehicle blind spot is an area around the vehicle that cannot be directly seen by the driver while at the controls, under existing circumstances. In transport, driver visibility is the maximum distance at which the driver of a vehicle can see and identify prominent objects around the vehicle. Visibility is primarily determined by weather conditions (see visibility) and by a vehicle's design. The parts of a vehicle that influence visibility include the windshield, the dashboard and the pillars. Good driver visibility is essential to safe road traffic.

Blind spots exist in a wide range of vehicles: aircraft, cars, buses, trucks, agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, boats, ships, trams, and trains. Blind spots may occur in the front of the driver when the A pillar (also called the windshield pillar), side view mirror, or interior rear view mirror block a driver's view of the road. Behind the driver, cargo, headrests, and additional pillars may reduce visibility. Proper adjusting of mirrors and using other technical solutions can eliminate or alleviate vehicle blind spots. A no zone is one of several areas around a large truck, where the truck driver cannot see. Collisions frequently occur in no zones. A blind zone is one of several areas around heavier rolling stocks (locomotives and multiple units), where the train driver cannot see. Accidents frequently occur in blind zones.

The side view mirrors of a car should be adjusted to reduce blind spots on the sides. The method is frequently overlooked in driver's education classes and takes some getting used to. The arrangementpointing the side view mirrors substantially outboard in a fixed mechanical formulais relatively simple to achieve. Still, it takes some knowledgeable effort and getting used to it. It is reputed to be a lifesaver. However, one source considers that method a driving mistake and claims it is even more dangerous than not using it, because it creates other blind spots directly behind the vehiclenine reasons are listed, e. g., when backing upwhich are impossible to eliminate by a "shoulder check". Rearward invisibility is an entirely different matter. The area directly behind vehicles is the source of backup collisions, particularly involving pedestrians, children, and objects directly aft of a vehicle. That area has been called a "killing zone". These problems are the object of several technological solutions, including (in rough order of technological complexity, simplest first): rear view mirror, side view mirror, Fresnel lens, sonar, parking sensors, and backup camera. A similar problem attaches to positions left and right of a vehicle's rear bumper as the driver attempts to back out of a parking space. Specially designed cross traffic alert warning systems have been developed to address these.

Most passenger cars have a diagonal pillar in the side view. The angle between the horizon and A pillar is approximately 40 degrees with a straight pillar that is not too thick. This gives the car a strong, aerodynamic body with an adequately sized front door.

Some modern car designs have an extremely flat A pillar angle with the horizon. For example, the Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro from 1993 to 2002 had a windshield angle of 68° with the vertical, which equals just 22° with the horizon. A flatter A pillar's advantages include reducing the overall drag coefficient and making the car body stronger in a frontal collision, at the expense of reducing driver visibility in a 180° field of view from left to right. A flatter A pillar (and therefore windscreen) is also a factor when calculating the effects of a collision with a pedestrian. In general, a flatter angle will result in a more gentle impact, directing the pedestrian "up and over" rather than directly into the windscreen. This is particularly true for cars like the Mercedes Benz A Class which also have a low angled engine cover.

Other traffic can not see the driver through the reflection if the driver can see them. The heater needs more time to heat the bigger window surface. The flat windshield angle does not let the snow slide off easily. The driver cannot reach the whole flat window to clean it easily.

Driver height can also affect visibility. An A pillar that is split up and has a small triangle window (Front Quarter glass) can give short driver visibility problems. In some cars, the windshield is fillet with the roof line with a big radius. A fillet round A pillar can give a tall driver visibility problems. Also sometimes the A pillar can block the driver from seeing motorcyclists. Also, the B pillar can block the vision of a tall driver in small 4 door cars. A driver may reduce the size of a blind spot or eliminate it by turning their head in the direction of the obstruction. This allows the driver to see better around the obstruction and allows the driver better depth perception.

Because there is no roof connection between the A and B pillars, the A pillars of a convertible automobile have to be stronger and even thicker. However, with the top down there are no B or C pillars, improving visibility behind the driver.

It is best if the dashboard has a non reflecting dark colored surface. A small dashboard gives some reflection on the lower part of the windshield. A big dashboard can give a reflection on eye height.

It is best if the inside of the A pillar has a non reflecting dark colored surface. If the side of the window is curved there is less A pillar reflection.

Some new model cars have a very big sunroof. Sometimes the sunlight through the roof lights up the dashboard and gives a reflection in the windshield.

Other design factors may prevent a manufacturer from maximizing visibility. These include safety, as narrower pillars cannot be made strong as easily as thicker pillars, and size restraints about aerodynamics, as taller, more vertical windshields create additional drag and reduce fuel efficiency. They also include fashion and cost, whereby design and appearance considerations can be deemed preeminent. Side radar systems offer better performance and also warn of fast approaching vehicles entering the blind spot.

Blind spots also exist around trams (streetcars/trolleys) and trains (locomotives with railway carriages and multiple units). Heavier rolling stocks can have up to several meters of blind spot. This is generally known as the dead visual range of a train. To address this, cameras are sometimes placed around the train driver's cab to cover the missing field of view during coupling/decoupling between locomotives and railcars, multiple units, special railway equipments and/or another locomotives.

Blind spots also exist around agricultural equipment (utility tractors, combine harvesters, etc. ).

Blind spots also exist around heavy equipment (excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, cranes, etc. ).

Blind spots also exist in front of boats and ships. When the boat accelerates, the bow rises, increasing the size of the blind spot. Large vessels can have up to several hundreds of meters of blind spots. This is generally known as the dead visual range of a ship. To address this, cameras are sometimes placed in the front of the vessel to cover the missing field of view. Blind spots exist where areas behind the sail are obscured from the view of a helmsman on a sailboat or windsurfer. This is especially true when they are heeled over; consequently, transparent windows are sometimes sewn into the sails.

Blind spots also exist around aircraft (helicopters, airships, airplanes, gliders). When the aircraft (airplane) accelerates for take off, the size of the blind spot below fuselage increases. Heavier aircraft can have up to several meters of blind spots. This is generally known as the dead visual range of an aircraft. To address this, cameras are sometimes placed in the front of the aircraft to cover the missing field of view.