How lighting can be used to increase safety

Automakers have been equipping vehicles with headlamps, taillamps, and auxiliary lamps to ensure safer driving, especially at night, for more than 100 years. A vehicle’s headlamps brighten the road ahead to help drivers get clear visibility, while its taillamps help drivers of other vehicles to notice the presence of this vehicle on the road.

In addition to headlamps and taillamps, automakers equip vehicles with auxiliary lights, such as turn signal lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), and front and rear fog lights. Each light contributes to safer driving, leading to reduction in traffic accidents.

Some of these lights also help drivers to communicate their driving intents with other road users, including drivers of other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. For example, when a driver slows down or stops their vehicle, the brake lights and center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) turned on waring fellow drivers to take note of this manoeuvre and adjust their vehicles’ speed. Similarly, when the driver changes their lane, they use turn indicator lamps to warn fellow drivers.

Automotive lighting has achieved significant progress in the past 30 years, which has contributed to safer driving not only at night, but also in adverse weather during the day. The new report “How lighting can be used to increase safety” offers an in-depth analysis of how development in automotive lighting contributes to safer driving. The report also highlights how automakers can leverage the recent development in lighting technologies to further enhance safer driving.   

1. Overview
a) Report summary
b) Research methodology
c) Introduction

2. Technology analysis
a) Headlamps
b) Light distribution technology for headlamps
c) Taillamps
d) Auxiliary lamps
e) Interior lights
f) Lighting as means of communication
g) Lighting to support safer driving of autonomous vehicles

3. Conclusion