An empirical investigation of a dynamic brake light concept for reduction of rear-end collision accidents during emergency braking

A potential application of optical looming manipulation is investigated: a dynamic brake light concept for potentially reducing the frequency of rear-end collisions in automobile driving. In a low-fidelity driving simulator, forty participants were instructed to follow a leading vehicle (LV) and appropriately respond to braking of the LV, under three visibility conditions: day, night-time with headlights, and night-time without headlights. During some LV braking events, separation and size of the brake lights of the LV were imperceptibly expanded or contracted, at one of two levels, to simulate an effective virtual time shift in the headway of the LV. Results show that this concept was effective only for very poor visibility conditions: at night with no headlights, for which LV brake lights were most salient. Subjects generally braked sooner when confronting a LV with expanding brake lights, and later for contracting lights, in comparison with the no manipulation case.

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An empirical investigation of a dynamic brake light concept for reduction of rear-end collisions through manipulation of optical looming

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies ◽

10.1016/j.ijhcs.2007.01.002 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 66 (3) ◽

pp. 158-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Zhonghai Li ◽

Paul Milgram

Keyword(s):

Empirical Investigation ◽

Brake Light

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Self-Esteem and the SCII: Empirical Investigation of a Clinical Observation

Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance ◽

10.1080/00256307.1979.12022188 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 82-86

Author(s):

Karen Friedel ◽

Jo-Ida Hansen ◽

Thomas J. Hummel ◽

Warren F. Shaffer

Keyword(s):

Empirical Investigation ◽

Clinical Observation ◽

Self Esteem

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Self-Injurious Behavior vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000127 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 106-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher M. Bloom ◽

Shareen Holly ◽

Adam M. P. Miller

Keyword(s):

Positive Reinforcement ◽

Empirical Investigation ◽

High Stress ◽

Animal Research ◽

Stress Conditions ◽

Human Populations ◽

Pharmacological Interventions ◽

Self Injury ◽

Cns Stimulant ◽

Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Background: Historically, the field of self-injury has distinguished between the behaviors exhibited among individuals with a developmental disability (self-injurious behaviors; SIB) and those present within a normative population (nonsuicidal self-injury; NSSI),which typically result as a response to perceived stress. More recently, however, conclusions about NSSI have been drawn from lines of animal research aimed at examining the neurobiological mechanisms of SIB. Despite some functional similarity between SIB and NSSI, no empirical investigation has provided precedent for the application of SIB-targeted animal research as justification for pharmacological interventions in populations demonstrating NSSI. Aims: The present study examined this question directly, by simulating an animal model of SIB in rodents injected with pemoline and systematically manipulating stress conditions in order to monitor rates of self-injury. Methods: Sham controls and experimental animals injected with pemoline (200 mg/kg) were assigned to either a low stress (discriminated positive reinforcement) or high stress (discriminated avoidance) group and compared on the dependent measures of self-inflicted injury prevalence and severity. Results: The manipulation of stress conditions did not impact the rate of self-injury demonstrated by the rats. The results do not support a model of stress-induced SIB in rodents. Conclusions: Current findings provide evidence for caution in the development of pharmacotherapies of NSSI in human populations based on CNS stimulant models. Theoretical implications are discussed with respect to antecedent factors such as preinjury arousal level and environmental stress.

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