Interpretation ID: nht89-2.19

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 06/22/89

FROM: WOLFRED FREEMAN -- FREEMAN AND COMPANY

TO: ADMINISTRATOR NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 11/06/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO WOLFRED FREEMAN; REDBOOK A34; STANDARD 108

TEXT: Dear General Curry,

I hereby petition your bureau for permission to produce a color coded (Green-Amber-Red) rear light device for all types of motor vehicles. This type of signal would provide information to the driver of the following vehicle as to what actions is taking place. Just as one seeing a "white back up light" knows that the driver intent is to back up, whether the vehicle is moving or not. With my proposed device one would immediately know what the drivers intentions were. If the driver had their foot on the gas the light would be Green, as soon as the foot was removed from the throttle, the light would show Amber alerting the following driver that the driver in front had removed their foot from the gas and was costing or about to make a move either to the gas or the brake. The present system of Red light intensity provides no information as to driver intent.

I think the variable glow Red has a tendency to mesmerize one over a period of time and should be improved for traffic safety.

It is my understanding that research has already been done by your Bureau on human factor reaction time to my proposed signal as opposed to light intensity differential systems now in use. It is also my understanding that this research favored my type o f system.

We have designed a workable auxiliary system that can be adopted to cars and trucks now on the road. But before we go any further we want to be sure that we will not be beating our heads against a bureaucracy wall.

I think your review of my request will disclose enough research and development to allow for a speedy approval of my request.

Awaiting your reply, I remain, Sincerely.