Abstract
This paper discusses the feasibility of enhancing drivers rearward perception by use of a video-based monitor system which consists of CCD cameras and LCD monitors. Such systems, compared with optical mirrors, generally have a potential to provide a wider field of view thereby reducing the drivers blind areas. However, as the field of view becomes wider, the visual size of a rearward vehicle becomes smaller and the perception of its distance and speed becomes difficult. To solve this problem, the authors propose a special image transformation method that expands the area close to the point at infinity and reduces the remaining area in an image plane. The effectiveness of this technique was confirmed by theoretical analyses and laboratory experiments.