A signalling system is proposed which is designed to quickly alert the driver that braking may be necessary. At the same time the signal provides quantitative information about the deceleration of the vehicle ahead. These are communicated by an expanding array of stop-lamps that turn on in pairs in an outward direction. The stop-lamps are activated in a stepwise manner by an inertial decelerometer, the number of lamps switched on being the measure of the deceleration. In this system, the driver is provided with an abbreviated version of his own rear-end signal display, positioned so that it may be readily utilised even when his gaze is fixed on the vehicle ahead. This allows him to compare his own deceleration with that of the leading vehicle during the course of controlling his braking. Suggestions are made as to how such a system may also address the problems of indicated engine decelerations and vehicle presence while parked on a highway. (A)
Abstract