Influence of Taillight Brightness on the Ability to Recognize Closing Speed, Closing Distance, and Closing vs. Separating

Rear-end crashes contribute to a large percentage of fatal collisions in the United States. However, every rear-end collision cannot be classified as a single type of crash. Some crashes may be caused due to human error while some crashes may be attributed to a human inability to recognize closing speed well. Observers were shown two 4-second video clips of a commercial vehicle closing on a slow-moving vehicle on an unlit highway. The lead vehicle was depicted at distances of 91m (300 ft), 128m (420 ft) and 152m (500 ft). Closing speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) and 105 km/h (65 mph) were depicted. The taillights on the lead vehicle were randomly shown as bright, or 80% dimmer which is typical of older taillights or aged retroreflective materials. Results showed that observers’ ability to recognize closing from separating worsened with increased distance, dimmer taillights and lower closing speeds. Observers perceived brighter taillights to be closer. Also, at greater distances, observers did not recognize closing speeds as well.

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