Redundant Brake Lights Design: Impact on Reaction Times of the Following Driver

Abstract

This study investigated whether redundant vehicle braking light configurations reduce brake response time (RT). Brake lights play a crucial role in enhancing visibility and are instrumental in preventing rear-end collisions. Previous research conducted in laboratory and practical settings consistently highlights the effectiveness of redundant signals. Some modern car models feature a cross-configuration for their brake lights, forming an 'X' shape when the brake pedal is applied, intuitively signifying to stop. The study assessed the effectiveness of brake light configurations between traditional braking signals with a brighter red appearance and redundant signals (with an additional ‘X’ shape). Participants viewed a rear-end picture of a vehicle (either a schematic-car or real-car picture) with different brake light configurations simulating a car-following condition. They were instructed to press a right-side button to model the use of a gas pedal in a car-following condition. However, they were to release the right-side button and press the left-side button when the brake lights illuminated from the car in front. The results revealed that participants exhibited quicker reactions in the real-car picture condition than the RT in the schematic-car condition, indicating a more immediate response and a heightened sense of urgency associated with the real-car representation. More importantly, both release RT and stop RT in the simultaneous redundant brake lights condition were faster than in the traditional single-signal brake lights condition. Additionally, this advantage of the redundant effect was noticeable only when two redundant signals were simultaneously presented and were larger in the schematic-car condition. The findings suggest that incorporating redundant signals in brake light design can reduce braking response times and, consequently, lower the risk of rear-end collisions. Future research should examine this redundant effect in high-fidelity simulators or real driving conditions.

Keywords: Driving, Rear-end Collision, Brake Lights Signal, Redundant Signal Effect

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005247