A light-meter method for assessment of blind areas in operator field of view

Operator field of view is of primary importance for efficient and safe operation of field machines such as tractors, forest harvesting machines, and earthmoving equipment. This research uses a light source with a series of light sensors, and a contour plot of a derived visibility index, to quantify the masking effect of obstructions on the light source and to map the blind areas due to inherent obstructions in the field of view. The described method provides a quantified two-dimensional assessment of the blind areas in the workspace and could be used for rapid assessment of potential limitations in operator visibility for field machines.