Well, I'd be reinventing the wheel if I tried to conduct experiments... Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center has done a bunch, and there are a pile of SAE papers written to show for it. Very good reading with lots of insight
www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/transportation/index.asp
While these experiments dont offer a direct comparison between 'bulb A' and 'bulb B' they offer up some comparison between HID and halogen...using existing european spec lens designs
I haven't got my IPF stuff yet (on a slow boat from OZ?) but I expect I'll be satisfied once it arrives. I did chicken out and back off the 170/100 bulbs though, went with 145/90.
My usage has found the IPF J bulbs to be about equal to Hella 100/80w halogen in 'perceived' performance...but at three+ times the cost of the Hellas ($ 75/pr vs 22/pr, shipped). Mine didn't last 3 years either...more like 1 year, but I normally get somewhat less than that out of the Hella bulbs.
I may check out those Global Premiers...hard to go wrong with $20/pr...and Advance Auto has Silverstar bulbs on sale/rebate for approx $30/pr. Of the 3 sets of E-codes we are using, one has a set of DOT approved/store bought halogen 60/55, and they need replaced with something better.
FWIW most of my night driving is done on unlit rural roads, where distance as well as periphial illumination is important (lots of deer). NC is using a lot of reflective thermoplastic roadway striping (better than paint with glass beads) as well as reflectors along the centerline...so 'seeing the road' isn't as much an issue as seeing the beasts. On the few roads lacking reflectors, the extra light output and e-code pattern is appreciated. I don't drive my Jeep at extra-legal speeds, so that helps my reaction time as well.