Lifesaving Equipment Colors; Literature Review
Abstract
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center (RDC) conducted a review of lifesaving equipment color requirements as well as the relationship between color and visual search. The purpose of this report is to consolidate information on the current state of lifesaving equipment color requirements, including research on color characteristics (and the human response thereto) that enhance the probability of detection by visual search. Provided herein is a summary of domestic regulations, international conventions, and government and industry standards that provide prescriptive or performance requirements for lifesaving equipment colors. In addition, it includes a literature review of peer-reviewed research on color conspicuity, detectability, and visual search theory. The regulatory, standards, and literature reviews will provide information on target color selection, psychophysical effects impacting visual search, and recommendations for future research. This information and resultant conclusions will inform RDC for experimental test plan development to verify and/or determine optimally detectable lifesaving equipment colors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1208938
Entities
People
- J. Pennington
- John C. Peterson