From: bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser)
Subject: Re: Analog Brake Light
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 14:09:28 GMT

aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer) writes:

>>>>>Has anyone seen or heard of a brake light system that indicates the degree
>>>>>of deceleration of the vehicle?   Maybe a different number of lights, or
>>>>>increasing light intensity, or flashing lights, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>>It sure would be nice to have such a device during rush-hour traffic!
>>>>>
>>>>>If you've heard of anything like this please e-mail me (or post if you
>>>>>think others would be interested...)
>>
>>>>I havent heard of a analog brake light system, but over here in Britain
>>>>whenever there is a major traffic jam on the motorway (causing braking
>>>>from 70 mph to crawling within a short time) people have developed
>>>>the practice of flashing their hazard warning lights to indicate
>>>>a problem ahead to those drivers behind. I think it works quite well
>>>>(our hazard lights are amber of course). I think maybe flashing
>>>>brakelights (flashing more rapidly for harsher braking?) would
>>>>probably be a good idea.
>>>>
>>>>Next person please.
>>
>>>why not go with the LED type thing..maybe in all three lights, or just
>>>in the third one(some of these already use LED's, but some other makers
>>>are starting to put LED into all three..but more have them in the 3rd light
>>>space)..at any rate..then just make the next row light up for harder pressur
e
>>>..seems not to hard to do..though i havent' really thought it out..just
>>>a presure sensor similar to that used on an oil pressure guage and each jump
>>>in pressure will cause a subseguent row to light up..only the hard part woul
d
>>>be telling all of the drivers that this is what "those STUPID" looking light
s
>>>are supposed to be telling them....
>>
>>How about connecting the brake light system to the ABS somehow.  When
>>ABS comes on, the brakes flash 10 times per sec.  :^)  Or, how about putting
>>some sonar-type device on the front of every car that sends out a signal
>>to determine the acceleration or deceleration rate of the vehicle in front.
>>Then, if the device senses a deceleration rate greater than, oh, I don't
>>know, then 110 dB horns aimed at the drivers head will signal him to step
>>on it hard.  :^)
>this is the part i do not understand..why do you want MORE flashing lights?
>you already have blinkers...of two colours.some red, some amber..the flashers
>are would be hard to follow...that is why i suggest a setup with rows..so
>that..at normal braking..the top row lights up..showing much like a normal
>light..then, if you jack up the pressure in the brakingsystem above that,
>another row lights up..making it brighter, and slightly different in appearanc
e
>so that (hopefully) the driver will notice something different and react...
>and so on until lock up(non ABS) at which time, the whole think would start
>over......i dunno..still thinking about it(but not too hard...)i just cannot
>figure out why you would want more BLINKING lights.....
>DREW

No, no, no.  Not *more* blinking lights.  I was saying to use the already
existing lights, only they blink at a high frequency when the pedal is
mashed.  This can already be done, I guess, using some light bulb I've
read about in this newsgroup.

Actually, I was sorta joking.  I think there are already too many lights,
whistles, and bells on our cars that try to save us from ourselves.  I don't
want to pay for them and I don't want them weighing my car down.  Ralph
Nadar go home.  Drive well, drive safely, and drive with your head out of
your butt; you'll be okay.  I see so many STUPID accidents, it makes me
want to hurl.  People don't know how to merge, drive in the rain or snow,
stay a safe distance from behind someone, etc, etc, etc.  I'm tired of paying
$750 a year for insurance that I don't use.  I'm charged that much because
I'm under 25 and I'm a male and a lot of other under-25 males drive like
idiots.  I know next year that my insurance will go some increment that
will defy reason whether there are airbags in my steering wheel and my
doors; whether I have quadruple redundant ABS, automatic running lights,
4-point safety belts, 10000 watt brake lights, and I-beams welded around
the car or not.  Make sure you realize I'm being sarcastic here and that
I'm not talking about the r.a crowd.  I'm just a little pee ohhd at the
hundreds of thousands out there that I have to share the road with and
help pay for their mistakes.

Regards,

Brian

bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
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I am the engineer, I can choose K.
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Department of Engineering Mechanics
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Newsgroups: rec.autos