Evaluation of an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) High-Mounted Signal Lamp

摘要

Two studies are described evaluating high-mounted stop lamps using light-emitting diodes (LED's) compared with conventional incandescent units. The first of these studies obtained ratings from subjects who drove one car and followed another car that was equipped with the test lamps. The results indicate that the subjects generally prefered the LED's to the conventional lamp. The second study was a laboratory evaluation of the attention-getting capabilities of LED and incandescent stop lamps. Under all conditions tested subjects responded faster to the LED units. The response time advantage for the LED units increased with more difficult viewing conditions, such as high levels of illumination and long viewing distance. The results of these investigations are discussed in terms of the applicability of the LED technology to high-mounted stop lamps on motor vehicles.