title: Determining optimum flash patterns for emergency service vehicles: an experimental investigation using high definition film.
abstract: An investigation of how emergency vehicle lighting (EVL) can be improved is reported with reference to an analysis of police vehicle road traffic accidents (Study 1). In Study 2, 37 regular drivers were shown film clips of a marked police vehicle, in which flash rate (1 Hz, 4 Hz) and pattern (single, triple pulse) were varied on the blue Light Emitting Diode (LED) roofbar. Results indicate a 4 Hz flash rate conveys greater urgency than a 1 Hz rate, while a 1 Hz, single flash combination was ranked the least urgent of all combinations. Participants claimed they would leave significantly more space before pulling out in front of an approaching police car (gap acceptance) in the 4 Hz single pulse condition in comparison to other EVL combinations. The preliminary implications for which flash characteristics could prove most optimal for emergency service use are discussed with regard to effects on driver perception and expected driving behaviour.
authors.affiliation: User Perspective, Innovations Centre, University of Sussex, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9SB England, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sally@userperspective.co.uk.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: User Perspective, Innovations Centre, University of Sussex, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9SB England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wylde
authors.affiliation: User Perspective, Innovations Centre, University of Sussex, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9SB England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langham
authors.affiliation: The Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morrow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000552:Ambulances / Q000592:standards*; D001288:Attention; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time; D012449:Safety; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Emergency service vehicle lighting; Flash pattern; Urgency perception