This study evaluated brake responses of unsuspecting drivers to brake-signal presentations using a conventional brake- lamp system with and without supplemental high-mounted brake lamp(s). The signals were presented in actual traffic during the daytime at speeds of 48 to 72 kmlh. The main finding is that the signals given by the systems with one or two supplemental high-mounted brake lamps were more likely to produce a brake response by a following driver. On the other hand, the reaction times of the brake responses did not vary between the systems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allen Corporation of America. Field validation of taillights--Report on Phase I: Pilot testing. Alexandria, VA: Author. Prepared for NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Contract No. DOT-HS-7-01756, April, 1978.
2.
Hays, W. L.Statistics.New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1963.
3.
Malone, T. B., Kirkpatrick, M., Kohl, J. S., and Baker, C.Field test evaluation of rear lighting systems. Alexandria, VA: Essex Corporation. Prepared for NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Contract No. DOT-HS-5-01228, February, 1978.
4.
Reilly, R. E., Kurke, D. S., and Buckenmaier, C. C.Validation of the reduction of rear-end collisions by a high-mounted auxiliary stoplamp. Alexandria, VA: Allen Corporation of America. Prepared for NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Contract No. DOT-HS 7-01756, May. 1980
5.
Schmidt-Clausen, H. J.Verbesserung des rückwärtigen Signalbildes und Kraftfahrzeugen durch zusätzliche hochgesetzte Bremsleuchten. ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift, 1977, 79, 505–508.
6.
Sivak, M.Motor vehicle rear lighting and signaling: Effects of spacing, position, intensity, and color. An applied literature review. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, Highway Safety Research Institute, Report No. UM-HSRI-78-8, January, 1978.
