AU2013101462A4 - AB Light - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The accelerator and brake (AB) light is a high, centrally mounted, green and red light for motor vehicles. The AB light would be mounted on the front and rear of motor vehicles and would indicate to other road users the status of the driver's real-time actions. The communication from motor vehicles would be threefold: braking (red), accelerating (green) or simply coasting (no light).

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2013101462 There are 2 pages of description Inventor: Robin Macan Date : 5th November 2013 AB Light - Definition The AB light is a high, centrally mounted, green and red, Accelerator & Brake light for motor vehicles. The AB Light (2 in total) would be mounted on the front and rear of motor vehicles and would indicate to other road users the status of the driver's real-time actions. i.e. A green light would illuminate when the accelerator is depressed, a red light would illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed. If no light were illuminated then the driver's foot would not be on either pedal. Principle of the AB light: Similar to existing Brake lights on vehicles the AB Light would be expanded to include Accelerator actions. This additional information together with Brake pedal actions would be visible by other road users in front of as well as behind vehicles. The communication from vehicles would now be three fold, brake (Red), accelerator (Green) or simply coasting ( No Light) under prevailing road conditions. Red - Indicate Momentum reducing Green - Indicate Momentum constant or increasing No Light - Indicate Momentum constant or reducing. Being a defensive driver requires one to be able to 'read' the speed of other cars on the road and act accordingly. This is gained through experience. An AB Light would take away the guesswork/judgement of an oncoming vehicle as to whether it was accelerating or decelerating. By understanding how traffic is behaving, risks would be reduced and therefore less vehicle accidents. The automatic real time actions could potentially improve four (4) fold, as currently, other road users at the rear of vehicles only, are informed of the drivers actions. Alternatively, coupled with turn indicators, provided that they are used and used properly, the AB Light will at worst double the communication of drivers real time actions. In any case, a significant improvement in driver communication on our roads would be a real positive outcome.

Examples of the AB Light. Three examples come to mind to illustrate the potential improvements 1) When turning right at a signalised intersection with no dedicated arrow signals, approaching vehicles can quickly be assessed whether their intention is to stop or continue through on the amber light. This will enable the right hand turn vehicle to know exactly when is the safest time to proceed with the turn. There also may be benefit in knowing what the second line of traffic's intention is. Keeping the intersection clear of traffic when the lights eventually turn to the crossroads may also be a positive at particularly busy intersections. 2) When turning right at a particularly busy T intersection oncoming vehicles would be automatically informing the turning vehicle driver of their actions. This may save precious time in ascertaining when is the safest time to proceed with the turn. 3) When driving at considerable speed on the freeway a natural tendency would be to hold off on the accelerator if one knew the vehicle in front had done exactly that. A green light illuminated (facing rear) when the driver has the accelerator depressed may potentially save only milliseconds however the avoidance of a serious vehicle accident involving multiple vehicles is very real. Each of these scenarios could represent a high speed impact collision that may be avoided, therefore having a real impact on road safety. Conclusion Clearly, there are a number of circumstances where the benefits of the AB Light need to be confirmed, which require further analysis. However, an answer to the question of why you wouldn't have an AB Light fitted to your own vehicle? The answer would be absolute. Why Not! It is this simple brilliancy that I believe, the AB Light will have a major impact to road safety, globally.