Citation

Schoettle B, Sivak M, Takenobu N. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2009; 19(6): 12-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article explores the prevalence of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) light sources on vehicles sold in the United States. The authors note that these lights are often used for center, high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSLs), also known as brake lights. The authors list the benefits that LED lights provide over traditional incandescent light sources, including lower power consumption with higher efficiency, lower operating temperatures, greater durability and longer life, faster onset, and greater overall design flexibility. The authors then report on their study of all available 2008 vehicle models for sale in the U.S. (248 vehicles were included). All available light sources were documented for each vehicle for lighting functions including forward lighting, front signaling and marking, rear signaling and lighting, and other rear lighting. In addition, for each vehicle, several additional features were noted: low-beam optics, high-beam optics, and rear turn signal color. The authors found that while LED usage for most functions, especially headlighting, is still in the early stages, usage for rear lighting functions is already substantial. LEDs are used for just over half of CHMSLs and for approximately 10% of stop lamps and tail lamps. Seven tables summarize the data gathered in this study and one appendix lists the vehicles included in the survey, with that vehicle's market share percentage.