AUTOMOTIVE REAR LIGHTING AND SIGNALING RESEARCH.

摘要

A review of previous NHSB vehicle rear lighting studies was carried out,and a research program was planned. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory,by simulation,by outdoor static tests,and in dynamic studies on public highways. Experiments concerned with the coding of signal lights showed that separation of lamps by function and color were effective techniques. It was recommended that presence lamps should be green-blue,turn lamps amber,and stop lamps red. An analytical car-following simulation showed that use of such a system should reduce rear-end collisions. There was a negligible effect upon response to rear signals of low doses of alcohol. It was found that rear turn signals should be augmented by forward mounted,amber repeater signals. Improvements in driver sensitivity to closure with another vehicle at night were obtained in simulation and field studies by an array of four presence lamps,two mounted high and two conventionally. Signals should not be given on each release of the accelerator nor can such signals reliably predict subsequent application of the brakes. Intensities needed for side turn signals,rear turn and stop signals were experimentally derived. Night intensity should be lower than day intensity. An intensity override switch should be provided to allow day signal intensities to be obtained in poor atmospheric conditions,and to raise presence light intensity to night signal levels. (Author)