This paper shows that an Advanced Brakelights Warning System (ABWS) provides the optimal solution available today to rear-end collisions caused by tailgating, in terms of cost/performance ratio and public acceptability. The ABWS can be installed easily. This safety device is adaptable to all automobiles. The ABWS provides an anticipatory activation of vehicle signalling lights in response to the detection of the driver's intention to brake. Another attractive feature of ABWS is that, while its operation is indistinguishable from actual emergency braking, it precedes it by approximately a quarter of a second. The implementation of this approach is embodied in the ABWS anticipatory activation devices. This provides following drivers with an early warning coupled with an improved perception-detection of the leading vehicle's imminent braking.
Abstract