EVALUATION OF AN LED HIGH-MOUNTED SIGNAL LAMP. FINAL REPORT

Two studies are described evaluating high-mounted stop lamps using light-emitting diodes (LED's) compared with conventional incandescent units. The first of these studies obtained ratings from subjects who drove one car and followed another car that was equipped with the test lamps. The results indicate that the subjects generally preferred the LED's to the conventional lamp. Some subjects complained that the LED units were too bright. Most subjects commented on a color and an apparent brightness difference between the LED and incandescent lamps. Few subjects commented on the faster rise time of the LED units. The second study was a laboratory evaluation of the attention-getting capabilities of LED and incandescent stop lamps. Under all conditions tested subjects responded faster to the LED units. The response time advantage for the LED units increased with more difficult viewing conditions, such as high levels of illumination and long viewing distance. The results of these investigations are discussed in terms of the applicability of the LED technology to high-mounted stop lamps on motor vehicles.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This study was sponsored by Stanley Electric Co., Ltd., 2-9-13, Nakameguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153, Japan.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150
• Authors:
  • Olson, P L
• Publication Date: 1987-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 39 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Brightness; Color; Emergency response time; Field tests; High mounted brake lamps; Human subject testing; Incandescent lamps; Laboratory tests; Light emitting diodes; Performance evaluations; Reaction time
• Old TRIS Terms: Center high-mounted stop lamps
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00493540
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-87-13, HS-040 236
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 30 1990 12:00AM