Motor vehicle crashes at intersections and driveways are an important area of safety. This study presents a crash avoidance concept using Vehicle Action Lights (VAL), which enhances the conspicuity of driver brake and throttle action for oncoming or crossing traffic. This gives others an earlier indication of vehicle motion. A vehicle was modified with VAL on the front corners so that brake action is shown by a red light and throttle action is displayed by a series of eight white lights which are sequenced in a four-light roll. The lights are visible to oncoming and crossing traffic. As a driver approaches an intersection and applies the brakes, the front corners show a red light. As the driver's foot is moved off the brake to the throttle, the red light goes off. It takes more than 0.4 s to move to the throttle. Once the throttle is pushed, a white-light sequence starts and steps forward using a four-light roll. This indicates that the vehicle is accelerating forward. There is about 0,2 s delay between depressing the throttle and the vehicle moving. A driver simulator study was conducted with 24 volunteers. About 1.2 s advanced warning is provided by VAL for on-coming and crossing traffic. An earlier warning of actions by another driver enables emergency evasive action or yielding of right of way, which may prevent or lessen the severity of vehicle crashes. (Author/publisher).
Abstract