Incandescent Bulb and LED Brake Lights: Novel Analysis of Reaction Times

Rear-end collision accounts for around 8% of all vehicle crashes in the UK, with failure to notice or react a brake light signal being major contributory cause. Meanwhile traditional incandescent bulbs on vehicles are increasingly replaced by profusion designs featuring LEDs. In this paper, we investigate efficacy design using novel approach recording subject reaction times simulation setting physical assemblies. The 22 subjects were measured ten pairs LED and bulb lights. Three events investigated each subject, namely latency activation accelerator release (BrakeAcc), pedal depression (AccPdl), cumulative time from (BrakePdl). To our knowledge, is first study which have been split into BrakeAcc AccPdl. Results indicate that two lights containing led significantly slower compared tested eight results also show experienced quicker respond releasing pedal. Interestingly, analysis revealed type influenced AccPdl time, although did not always act than inexperienced subjects. Overall, found different can influence driver response times.