Browse Topic: Exterior lighting

Items (1,534)

J2039_202606 (Current)

6/1/2026

This SAE Recommended Practice provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for side turn signal lamps intended for use on vehicles 12 m or more in overall length, except pole trailers. Side turn signal lamps conforming to the requirements of this document may be used on other large vehicles such as trucks, truck tractors, buses, and other applications where this type of lighting device is desirable.

Heavy Duty Lighting Standards Committee

Characterization of Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking Acceleration in Modern Light Vehicles: Potential Implications for Occupant Safety

09-14-01-0007

5/4/2026

The objective of this study was to characterize and compare pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) pulses in modern light vehicles to understand the loading environment that vehicle occupants are being exposed to during PAEB maneuvers. PAEB tests (n = 8008) conducted using 2018–2023 vehicle model years were analyzed. Pulse, vehicle, and impact characteristics (e.g., jerk, peak acceleration, pedestrian scenario, etc.) were derived from each PAEB test. Two k-means clustering analyses were used to group PAEB pulses with and without target collisions based on their similarity between characteristics. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed on the PAEB pulse characteristics to examine differences between clusters (p < 0.05). Two non-collision clusters (NC1 and NC2) were identified for PAEB pulses without collisions: NC1 had a statistically significant lower jerk (0.8 ± 0.4 g/s) and peak acceleration (1.0 ± 0.1 g) compared to NC2 (1.6 ± 0.8 g/s and 0.9 ± 0.1 g, respectively, p < 0.001). NC1 was mostly represented by stationary adult (88.6%), 60 km/h (99.5%), and 40 km/h (62.2%) tests. NC2 was mostly represented by crossing scenarios (child: 92.3%; adult: 70.5%) and 20 km/h (96.2%) tests. Three collision clusters (C1, C2, and C3) were identified for PAEB pulses with collisions. C3 showed a greater jerk (1.5 ± 0.8 g/s) compared to C1 (0.9 ± 0.6 g/s) and C2 (1.1 ± 0.9 g/s, p < 0.001). These results suggest that with successful avoidance, deceleration begins earlier with higher speeds and a stationary pedestrian, resulting in potentially milder loading conditions for vehicle occupants (i.e., lower jerk in NC1 vs NC2). With unsuccessful avoidance, in daytime pedestrian crossing scenarios, lower impact speeds were observed, resulting in potentially non-optimal loading conditions (i.e., higher jerk and peak acceleration in C3) for vehicle occupants. At night with low beams, C2 may result in advantageous loading conditions for vehicle occupants (i.e., lower jerk and peak acceleration), but it may lead to the worst outcome for pedestrians (i.e., greatest impact speed).

Witmer, Maitland, Kidd, David, Graci, Valentina

EDITORIAL: All the ways: Learning via print in a digital era

26AUTD05_07

5/1/2026

Welcome, once again, to our annual digital-only issue. We remain committed, of course, to our eight print issues each year, but letting the benefits of digital media come to the fore is always its own fun challenge. No matter what your role is, you should find something engaging and educational among these virtual pages. We've got videos, animations and other multimedia components for you to click on and learn from in this issue. My personal favorite example in here of a video replacing a thousand words can be found in our cover story. It's not like the text is indecipherable, but simply seeing how adaptive headlight beams adjust where they throw their high beams so as to not blind other drivers in almost all situations is just cool. Headlight technology has come a long, long way in the last decade, from the low lights of old helping clear a path home to today's often-annoying high beams that may provide extra safety to the driver, but make the blood of oncoming drivers run dry.

Blanco, Sebastian

Forvia Hella ready to light the night with ADB, but NHTSA test stands in the way

26AUTD05_01

5/1/2026

A demonstration ride shows the glare-free, game-changing power of adaptive driving beams, already available in Europe. An approval test from NHTSA is proving difficult for OEMs to pass. I'm riding in the second row of a Lincoln Navigator fitted with Forvia Hella's adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlight system. The low- and high-beams are on, blasting everything in front of us for between 350 and 500 feet (122 and 152 m) with a bright, daylight-temperature LED light. Even traffic and street signs at the edges of the road, which normally aren't as well illuminated, are bathed in brightness. A car pulls out in front of us, and the system instantly adjusts, creating a tunnel of unlit space on and just next to the vehicle ahead. So even though we still have high beams on the rest of the road, that driver isn't facing the harsh glare that is the No. 1 complaint about today's high-intensity headlight systems.

Clonts, Chris

Exterior Lighting Recommendations for Urban Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft

ARP7216 (Current)

4/10/2026

This document covers external lighting for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (E-VTOL) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles. It discusses lights that may be installed both to meet regulatory requirements as well as for customer comfort and aircraft recognition. It also discusses the differences between UAM vehicles and other aircraft and how those differences impact the lighting.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Measurement Procedures for Short Pulse Width Strobe Anticollision Lights

ARP5029C (Current)

4/8/2026

This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides the user with standardized guidelines for the measurement of effective intensity of short pulse width strobe anticollision lights for aircraft in the laboratory, in maintenance facilities, and in the field. A common source of traceability for calibration of the measurement systems, compensation for known causes of variation in light output such as the use of colored lenses, and recommendations which minimize sources of errors and uncertainties are included in this document. Estimates of uncertainty and error sources for each class of measurement are discussed.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

The Balance of Illumination and Glare Prevention of Upward Directed Lighting

2026-01-0516

4/7/2026

This study examines the ongoing challenge of balancing sufficient forward illumination for vehicle operation with the need to limit glare experienced by other road users. This analysis specifically focuses on the portion of a headlight's beam pattern intensity distribution located above the horizontal plane, which is particularly relevant for lighting overhead signs and the upper portions of vulnerable road users but is also a potential contributor to glare. In particular, the study investigates how the adoption of LED headlamp technology has influenced upward-directed lighting relative to historical halogen beam intensity distributions. Two different comparative analyses were performed within this study. The first analysis was the calculation of intensity on targets positioned at multiple locations relative to the headlamps considering vehicle conditions. The second analysis was performed as at selected discrete points referenced directly to the headlamp and independent of vehicle height. The results of the study show that the changes in upward directed lighting due to transition to LED technology were inconsequential relative to historical variability of the halogen headlamp systems. Analysis of this data reveals trends in light distributions and can provide information for considerations of future headlamp strategies balancing the needs of drivers to illuminate potential vulnerable road users and the glare experienced by other road users.

Allen, Jodi Mary Jean

Investigation of a System for Headlight Glare Control Based on Photometric Zones

2026-01-0515

4/7/2026

Headlight glare remains a constant problem among the driving public. Following several decades of mostly incremental progression in headlight design, the past twenty years have witnessed rapid evolutions in technology and design that have made substantial differences in the appearance and performance of automotive headlights. Most obviously, there has been a transition from yellowish-white sealed beam and halogen lamps, to high-intensity discharge and more conclusively, light-emitting diode sources with a distinct, cool-white color appearance. This transition has increased perceptions of brightness, both of the forward road scene (potentially benefiting the headlight user) and of the headlights themselves (increasing visual discomfort for opposing drivers). The mix of vehicles has also increased in size, resulting in higher-mounted headlights and the potential for higher light levels at other drivers’ eyes. Variability in headlight vertical aim has possibly decreased in very recent years, but still remains quite variable. Perhaps most crucial for the latest rounds of complaints about headlight glare, the peak luminous intensities of headlights over the past two decades have increased and the vertical inclination of these peak values has also increased, along with the sharpness of the gradient between the upward regions of low intensity and the downward regions of increasingly high intensity. Because roads are not perfectly straight or flat, these developments can increase the severity of glare episodes. Described in this paper is a zone-based concept for glare control based on the likelihood of headlight illumination in a particular angular zone to reach the eyes of other drivers. Zones more likely to glare other drivers would have more stringent intensity limits to reduce the probability of bothersome glare. Possibly in conjunction with some overall upper limits on low-beam luminous intensity, the impacts of such a system on glare and visibility are assessed.

Bullough, John D.

Inertial Pedal Displacement and Brake Switch Activation in Frontal Crash Events

2026-01-0541

4/7/2026

This paper presents research into the inertial displacement of brake pedals and the subsequent activation of brake light switches during crash events. In certain scenarios, such as multiple-impact crashes or crashes with pre-impact interactions such as curb strikes or sideswipes, inertial forces alone may generate sufficient brake pedal movement to trigger the brake switch, activating the brake lights. Such signals may be recorded by an Event Data Recorder (EDR) or observed by witnesses and incorrectly interpreted as an indication of intentional driver braking. To investigate this phenomenon, HYGE sled tests were performed using brake pedal assemblies and associated components from a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and a Cadillac DeVille passenger sedan. The assemblies were subjected to acceleration pulses simulating a frontal impact, with high-speed video used to capture brake pedal displacement and brake light activation. The tests demonstrated that inertial loading from a pulse with a delta-V (change in velocity) as low as 12 mph could result in momentary brake light activation due to pedal displacement from inertial forces. Increasing the magnitude of the acceleration pulse produced greater displacement of the brake pedal and extended the duration of the brake light activation. An example is presented that demonstrates inertial pedal movement in a full-scale vehicle test conducted by striking a curb, which resulted in brake light activation with a delta-V considerably less than 12 mph. Additionally, a field survey of 50 passenger vehicles found that the brake switch activation threshold ranged from 0.25 to 0.56 inches of pedal travel for 80% of the vehicles measured. These findings indicate that relatively small crash accelerations and durations can produce sufficient inertial pedal movement to activate brake lights and that only minimal pedal displacement is required in most vehicles.

Walker, James, Duran, Amanda, Barnes, Daniel, Osterhout, Aaron, Clayton, Aidan

High Mounted Stop and Turn Signal Lamp for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

J1432_202602 (Current)

3/23/2026

This SAE Recommended Practice provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for high-mounted stop lamps and high-mounted turn signal lamps intended for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width. This document applies to trucks, motor coaches, van type trailers, and other vehicles with permanent structure greater than 2800 mm high. This document does not apply to school buses, truck tractors, pole trailers, flat-bed trailers, pick-up trucks with dual wheels, and trailer converter dollies. The purpose of the high-mounted stop lamp(s) and high-mounted turn signal lamp(s) is to provide a signal to the driver of following (approaching a signaling vehicle from the rear) or oncoming (approaching a signaling vehicle from the front) vehicles over intervening vehicles.

Heavy Duty Lighting Standards Committee

Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Compatible Lighting for Civil Aircraft

AS5452C (Current)

3/10/2026

This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) will specify what type of NVGs are required and minimum requirements for compatible crew station lighting, aircraft exterior lighting such as anti-collision lights, and position/navigation lights that are “NVG compatible.” Also, this document is intended to set standards for NVG utilization for aircraft so that special use aircraft such as the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, Air Rescue, Police Department, Medivacs, etc., will be better equipped to chase drug smugglers and catch illegal immigrants, rescue people in distress, reduce high-speed chases through city streets by police, etc. Test programs and pilot operator programs are required. For those people designing or modifying civil aircraft to be NVG compatible, the documents listed in 2.1.3 are essential.

A-20A Crew Station Lighting

Front Decorative Lamp

J3098_202602 (Current)

2/24/2026

This SAE Recommended Practice applies to a decorative lamp(s) installed on the front of motor vehicles. This lamp(s) is intended only to be decorative and is not to impair the effectiveness of any required lighting device. This recommended practice establishes uniformity in use guidelines for the performance, installation, activation, and switching of a front decorative lamp(s).

Signaling and Marking Devices Stds Comm

Electroluminescent Coating Systems for Heavy-Duty Trucks: Advancing Safety and Sustainability through Smart Surface Technology

2026-26-0275

1/16/2026

As the transportation industry pivots towards safer and more sustainable mobility solutions, the role of advanced surface technologies is becoming increasingly critical. This paper presents a novel application of electroluminescent (EL) coating systems in heavy-duty trucks, exploring their potential to enhance vehicular safety and reduce environmental impact through lightweight, energy-efficient lighting integration. Electroluminescent coatings, capable of emitting light uniformly across painted surfaces when electrically activated, offer a transformative alternative to conventional external lighting and reflective materials. In the context of heavy-duty trucks, these systems can significantly improve visibility under low-light and adverse weather conditions, thereby reducing the risk of road accidents. Furthermore, the uniform illumination achieved without bulky fixtures contributes to aerodynamic efficiency, supporting fuel economy and reducing carbon emissions. use of this coating system, can optimize tooled up plastic part and sub-assemblies specially to those parts we use for indication, marking, highlight & lighting assisting during dark This paper identifies and evaluates specific use cases where EL coatings can deliver substantial benefits: for example, Exterior Lighting systems, Perimeter Lighting for Night Operations, Ingress/degrees illumination with Integrated Safety Features, Emergency and Breakdown Visibility & Trucking illumination accessories. Accentuate brand specific, Technology & design features over a truck

Harel, Samarth Dattatraya, Borse, Manoj, L, Kavya

Transforming Headlamp Compliance Testing Through AI-Powered Predictive Modelling

2026-26-0660

1/16/2026

As automotive headlamp serves Active Safety functions, it must comply the functional and performance requirements as per regulatory standards across various geographies like AIS (Automotive India Standards), FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), ECE (Economic Commission of Europe) etc. The process of validating headlamp levelling compliance as per regulatory standards involves physical testing with various vehicle loading conditions. This traditional method is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and consumes significant resources. There is a need for a predictive solution that can simulate and validate headlamp levelling tests virtually, thereby reducing dependency on physical trials. Headlamp levelling compliance is a critical regulatory requirement to ensure optimal visibility and safety under varying vehicle loading conditions. This paper presents an Artificial Intelligence and machine learning-based (AI/ML) solution to simulate headlamp levelling tests virtually/digitally by using historical headlamp designs from past vehicles. By leveraging historical test data and developing regression/machine learning models, the system predicts headlamp height and dipped beam height for both unladen and laden conditions. As these tests need to be complied at full vehicle level, the headlamp levelling outcome is highly influential on key vehicle parameters such as tire load, overhang, deflection, and reflector angle are used as input features. The AI/ML-based approach not only accelerates compliance validation but also enables sensitivity analysis and scalability for other automotive testing scenarios through integration with virtual simulation environments, aiming to reduce no of prototypes and testing time, cost and most importantly, time to market. The algorithm is trained using 80% of test data. The remaining 10% of test data is for validation and testing respectively, using the Bayesian regularization algorithm as a fair amount of correlation established with the physical test data with an accuracy of about 89%. From this work, we can predict the dipped beam height of the vehicle headlamp and finalizing the design specifications for achieving the regulatory requirement in absence of physical prototype vehicle, much ahead of vehicle development gateways.

Mandloi, Prince, Joshi, Vivek S., GHANWAT, HEMANT, Ugale, Anand, Munda, Rohit, GHAN, PRAVIN

2026-26-0130

1/16/2026

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of automotive LED headlamps on driver’s visibility and comfort during night driving. The experiment was conducted on different headlamps having different correlated colour temperatures ranging from 5000K to 6500K in laboratory. Further study was conducted involving participants of different age group and genders for understanding their perception to identify objects when observed in light of different LED headlamps with different CCTs. Studies have shown that both Correlated Colour Temperature and illumination level affect driver’s alertness and performance. Further study required on headlamps with automatically varying CCT to get better solution on driver’s visibility and safety.

Patil, Mahendra G., Kirve, Jyoti, Parlikar, Padmakumar

On the Thermal Behavior of Headlamps in Battery Electric Vehicles – An Experimental Study

2026-26-0131

1/16/2026

Automotive headlamps in Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are exposed to a wide range of environmental and operational conditions that influence their thermal behaviour. Factors such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, lighting features, and nearby heat sources can significantly impact headlamp temperatures, potentially leading to issues like condensation, material degradation, and reduced optical performance. Accurate thermal modelling using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is essential during the design phase, but its effectiveness depends heavily on the fidelity of boundary conditions, which are often based on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle data. This study investigates the thermal behaviour of BEV headlamps under real-world conditions, focusing on parking and charging scenarios. Temperature measurements were taken at various locations on the lens and housing of a Jaguar I-Pace using thermocouples. The results show that lighting features, particularly the high beam, generate localized hotspots on the lens. Vehicle orientation relative to the sun also affects lens temperature, with sun-facing lamps consistently hotter than shaded ones. Notably, during fast charging, headlamp temperatures increased significantly even when the lamps were off, indicating the influence of nearby active thermal systems. These findings highlight the need to incorporate BEV-specific factors—such as lighting configurations, solar exposure, charging conditions, and adjacent heat sources—into CFD boundary condition modelling. This work provides valuable insights for improving the accuracy of thermal simulations and enhancing the durability and performance of headlamps in electric vehicles.

Nangunuri, Vishnu Teja, Kapadia, Vatsal, Kovacs, Gabor, Ahmad, Waqas

Materials for Use in Optical Parts Such as Lenses and Reflex Reflectors of Motor Vehicle Lighting Devices

J576_202601 (Current)

1/1/2026

This SAE Recommended Practice is intended as a guide toward standard practice and is subject to change to keep pace with experience and technical advances. This document establishes additional performance requirements and provides test methods and requirements to evaluate the suitability of materials intended for optical applications in motor vehicles. The tests are intended to determine physical and optical characteristics of the materials only. Performance expectations of finished assemblies, including plastic components, are to be based on tests for lighting devices, as specified in SAE Standards and Recommended Practices for motor vehicle lighting equipment. Glass and materials inclusive to the light source are not in scope for this method.

Lighting Materials Standards Committee

Aircraft Position Lights

AS271B (Current)

12/19/2025

This specification covers three types of aircraft position lights. Type I - Forward Position Light (red wing tip light) Type II - Forward Position Light (green wing tip light) Type m - Rear Position Light (white tail light)

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Automated Driving System (ADS) Marker Lamp

J3134_202512 (Current)

12/1/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice provides guidelines for the use, performance, installation, activation, and switching of marking lamps on Automated Driving System (ADS) equipped vehicles.

Signaling and Marking Devices Stds Comm

Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching Devices

J565_202511 (Current)

11/13/2025

This SAE Standard provides test procedures, performance requirements, and guidelines for semiautomatic headlamp beam switching (SHBSD) devices.

Road Illumination Devices Standards Committee

AI/ML Based Audio Classification and Transcription for Automotive and Off-Highway Systems

2025-28-0323

11/6/2025

Modern automotive systems generate a wide range of audio-based signals, such as indicator chimes, turn signals, infotainment system audio, navigation prompts, and warning alerts, to facilitate communication between the vehicle and its occupants. Accurate Classification and transcription of this audio is important for refining driver aid systems, safety features, and infotainment automation. This paper introduces an AI/ML-powered technique for audio classification and transcription in automotive environments. The proposed solution employs a hybrid deep learning architecture that leverages convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), trained using labeled audio samples. Moreover, an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) model is integrated for transcribing spoken navigation prompts and commands from infotainment systems. The proposed system delivers reliable results in real-time audio classification and transcription, facilitating better automation and validation. Additionally, we highlight the potential applications of this technology for test automation in automotive software validation. This solution is well-suited for application in transportation systems, surveillance and security, accessibility tools for the hearing impaired, smart home assistants, humanoid robots, and others, making it highly versatile across various domains and platforms. This provides a robust foundation for edge-deployable audio intelligence systems. Beyond Off-highway applications, it applies broadly across other domains where contextual audio understanding is essential--such as in edge-based surveillance systems, supportive accessibility technologies, smart home ecosystems, and self-driving robots. By merging distinctive audio features with state-of-the-art speech transcription, this framework establishes the foundation for scalable and deployable edge-AI systems capable of smart auditory perception across embedded platforms.

Singh, Shwetha, Kamble, Amit, Mohanty, Ananta, Kalidas, Sateesh

Minimum Performance Standard for Anticollision Light Systems

AS8017D (Current)

9/25/2025

This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) establishes minimum performance standards for new equipment anticollision light systems. This Aerospace Standard defines minimum light intensity in terms of "effective intensity" as defined in paragraph 3.5 of this standard and specified vertical and horizontal directions about the longitudinal and vertical axis of the airplane. It will also define flash rate and color for the anticollision light system. It is not intended that this standard require the use of any particular light source such as Xenon, LED or any other specific design of lamp.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Predicting Photometric Degradation of Exterior Aircraft Lights

ARP6621 (Current)

9/15/2025

This Aerospace Recommended Practice provides guidance for designers and specifiers of aircraft exterior lighting. Typical causes of light degradation and methods of predicting performance degradation in the aircraft environment are given. Although the document considers only exterior lighting, many of the principles and methods discussed apply to interior or flight deck lighting as well.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Cargo Lamp for Use on Vehicles Under 5443 kg (12000 pounds) GVWR

J1424_202509 (Current)

9/1/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice provides test procedures, performance requirements, and guidelines for cargo lamps intended for use on vehicles under 5443 kg (12000 pounds) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Signaling and Marking Devices Stds Comm

Researchers Develop Self-Illuminating Biosensor

TBMG-53777

9/1/2025

Engineers have harnessed quantum physics to detect the presence of biomolecules without the need for an external light source, overcoming a significant obstacle to the use of optical biosensors in healthcare.

15 Pole Connector Between Towing Vehicles and Trailers with 12 Volt Nominal Supply

J2691_202507 (Current)

7/21/2025

This SAE Standard establishes the minimum construction and performance requirements for a 15 pole connector between towing vehicles and trailers, for trucks, trailers, and dollies, for 12 VDC nominal applications in conjunction with SAE J2742. The connector accommodates both power and ISO 11992-1 signal circuits along with dual ground wires to accommodate grounding requirements within the constraints of the SAE J2691 terminal capacity.

Truck and Bus Electrical Systems Committee

Aircraft Exterior Camera Video System Lighting

ARP8467 (Current)

7/1/2025

The video systems include a camera, display, and lights. Video is the recording, reproducing, or broadcasting of moving visual images as illustrated in Figure 1. A camera video imaging system is a system composed of a camera and a monitor, as well as other components, in which the monitor provides a real-time or near real-time visual image of the scene captured by the camera. Such systems are capable of providing remote views to the pilot and can therefore be used to provide improved visibility (for example, coverage of blind spots). In general, camera video systems may be used in the pilot’s work position for purposes of improving airplane and corresponding environmental visibility. Examples of aircraft video system applications include: Ground maneuver or taxi camera system Flight deck entry video surveillance system Cargo loading and unloading Cargo compartment livestock monitoring Monitoring systems that are used to track the external, internal, and security functions of an aircraft Environmental camera system Cabin surveillance system In 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board suggested that large aircraft be equipped with external cameras to give pilots a better view of a plane’s wingtips as they travel along the taxiway and possibly cut down on ground crashes (refer to NTSB Safety Recommendations A-12-48 and -49). Airplane camera system applications have experienced new usage scenarios and image quality issues (washout, color shift, bright spots, flickering, color rendering) due to: Uncontrolled environment Wide range of ambient lighting environment Wide temperature range Harsh weather Complex hardware High aircraft speed The scope of this SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) is recommendations about the lighting for the airplane exterior camera video system with a pilot in the loop. This ARP does not address enhanced or synthetic vision systems that help pilot visibility during flight. This ARP does not cover so-called enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS). Refer to FAA AC 90-106. Enhanced vision is a technology that incorporates information from aircraft-based sensors (e.g., near-infrared [IR] cameras, millimeter wave radar) to provide vision in limited visibility environments. Enhanced vision systems (EVS) allow for increased pilot visibility and flight safety during flight operations in darkness, smoke, haze, rain, fog, and other low visibility conditions. EVS enhances a pilot’s ability to safely fly an aircraft by providing increased flight visibility for improved situation awareness. The initial scope of this recommended practice is lighting for airplane exterior lighting for ground maneuver camera systems. Section 3 gives general guidance for camera video systems, and Section 4 provides specific design recommendations for airplane exterior ground camera video system lighting. The camera and display parts of the video system are not the focus of this ARP, but pertinent characteristics need to be described, understood, and defined for the lighting guidelines to be useful for the video system designer. For flight deck display requirements, utilize: FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 25-11A FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) C113 AS8034 ARP4256 SAE J3155 is an SAE camera recommended practice for automotive rear-view mirror cameras. In addition to SAE J3155, for camera recommendations, refer to: IEC 62676 IEEE 1858 IEEE P2020 ISO 12232 ISO 12233 ISO 14524 ISO 15739 ISO 16505 ISO 17850 ISO 17957 ISO 18844 ISO 18844-2 ISO 19084 ISO 19093 ISO 19567 ISO/TC 22

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Test Methods and Equipment for Lighting Devices for Use on Vehicles Less than 2032 mm in Overall Width

J575_202505 (Current)

5/1/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice is intended as a guide toward standard practice and is subject to change to keep pace with experience and technical advances. This document provides standardized laboratory tests, test methods and equipment, and requirements for lighting devices covered by SAE Recommended Practices and Standards. It is intended for devices used on vehicles less than 2032 mm in width. Tests for vehicles larger than 2032 mm in overall width are covered in SAE J2139. Device-specific tests and requirements can be found in applicable SAE Technical Reports.

Test Methods and Equipment Stds Committee

Application Guidelines for Electronically Driven and/or Controlled Exterior Automotive Lighting Equipment

J2357_202505 (Current)

5/1/2025

Test Methods and Equipment Stds Committee

LED Signal and Marking Lighting Devices

J1889_202504 (Current)

4/14/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice applies to functions of motor vehicle signaling and marking lighting devices which use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources. This report provides test methods, requirements, and guidelines applicable to the special characteristics of LED lighting devices. This SAE Recommended Practice is in addition to those required for devices designed with incandescent light sources. This report is intended to be a guide to standard practice and is subject to change to reflect additional experience and technical advances.

Signaling and Marking Devices Stds Comm

Study on the Improvement of Pedestrian and Vehicle Visibility by Geometric Patterns Projection Lighting

2025-01-8663

4/1/2025

The proportion of pedestrian fatalities due to traffic accidents is higher at night than during the day. Drivers can more easily recognize pedestrians by setting their headlights to high beam, but use of high beam poses the issue of increasing glare for pedestrians. This study proposes a lighting technology that increases the noticeability of pedestrians for drivers and the noticeability of approaching vehicles for pedestrians while at the same time helping to reduce glare for pedestrians. The newly designed lighting enables geometric patterns projection lighting that makes use of projection technology. This geometric pattern projection lighting was compared with conventional low beam and high beam headlights to verify the effectiveness. Tests were conducted on a closed course with the participation of 20 drivers to evaluate the functionality of each headlight type. In these tests, subjects performed specific tasks such as evaluation of pedestrian visibility from the driver’s point of view, and noticeability of approaching vehicles and glare from the pedestrian’s point of view. Human subject tests used an experimental design in which study subjects experienced all three types of headlights in multiple trials. The results showed that while high beam provided the longest visibility distance, the glare was also the greatest. Geometric patterns projection lighting was shown to be better than low beam in both pedestrian visibility distance and distance at which an approaching vehicle is noticed. Overall, geometric patterns projection lighting was able to achieve a good balance between visibility distance and lower glare, and was verified to be a promising means of increasing visibility for drivers at night.

Kawamura, Kazuyuki, Oshida, Kei

A Survey of Vehicle Forward Lighting System Mounting Height and Driver Eye Height

2025-01-8662

4/1/2025

Headlight glare remains a persistent problem to the U.S. driving public. Over the past 30 years, vehicle forward lighting and signaling systems have evolved dramatically in terms of styling and lighting technologies used. Importantly, vehicles driven in the U.S. have increased in size during this time as the proportion of pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) has increased relative to passenger sedans and other lower-height vehicles. Accordingly, estimates of typical driver eye height and the height of lighting and signaling equipment on vehicles from one or two decades ago are unlikely to represent the characteristics of current vehicles in the U.S. automotive market. In the present study we surveyed the most popular vehicles sold in the U.S. and carried out evaluations of the heights of lighting and signaling systems, as well as typical driver eye heights based on male and female drivers. These data may be of use to those interested in understanding how exposure to vehicle headlighting and other factors have changed in the recent past.

Bullough, John D.

Tests for Signal and Marking Devices Used on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

J2139_202503 (Current)

3/3/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice provides standardized laboratory tests, test methods, and performance requirements applicable to signal and marking devices used on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width.

Heavy Duty Lighting Standards Committee

Lighting Identification Code

J759_202503 (Current)

3/1/2025

This SAE Recommended Practice provides the lighting function identification codes for use on all passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and emergency vehicles.

Lighting Standard Practices Committee

Effects of Emergency Vehicle Warning Lighting System Characteristics on Driver Perception and Behavior

09-13-01-0003

2/28/2025

Secondary crashes, including struck-by incidents are a leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among emergency responders, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical service providers. The introduction of light-emitting diode (LED) sources and advanced lighting control systems provides a wide range of options for emergency lighting configurations. This study investigated the impact of lighting color, intensity, modulation, and flash rate on driver behavior while traversing a traffic incident scene at night. The impact of retroreflective chevron markings in combination with lighting configurations, as well as the measurement of “moth-to-flame” effects of emergency lighting on drivers was also investigated. This human factors study recruited volunteers to drive a closed course traffic incident scene, at night under various experimental conditions. The simulated traffic incident was designed to replicate a fire apparatus in the center-block position. The incident scene was complemented with a cone taper extending from the driver-side buffer to the edge of the roadway. The results indicate that higher-intensity lights were judged consistently as more glaring, but were only rated as marginally more visible. The rated visibility of the lights appears to be related to the perceived saturation of the color, while discomfort glare is related to the amount of short-wavelength spectral content. The results also suggest that the presence of highly reflective markings may decrease drivers’ ability to see first responders working adjacent to their vehicles.

Bullough, John D., Parr, Scott, Hiebner, Emily, Sblendorio, Alec

Landing and Taxiing Lights - Design Criteria for Installation

ARP693F (Current)

1/21/2025

This document includes requirements of installations of adequate landing and taxiing lighting systems in aircraft of the following categories: a Single engine personal and/or liaison type b Light twin engine c Large multiengine propeller d Large multiengine turbojet/turbofan e Military high-performance fighter and attack f Helicopter This document will cover general requirements and recommended practices for all types of landing and taxi lights. More specific recommendations for LED lights in particular can be found in ARP6402.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Parking Lamp (Front Position Lamp)

J222_202501 (Current)

1/18/2025

This SAE Standard provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for a parking lamp.

Signaling and Marking Devices Stds Comm

Enhancing Bumper & Headlamp Durability: Lightweight Bumper Design with Optimized Resonance Frequency

2024-28-0238

12/5/2024

In the realm of commercial vehicle design, enhancing the durability of bumpers and headlamps is paramount for ensuring safety and reducing maintenance costs. This study explores the development of a lightweight bumper design with optimized resonance frequency to improve the durability of these critical components. The research focuses on innovative design techniques to achieve a balance between weight reduction and structural integrity. The primary objective is to minimize the impact forces transmitted to the bumper and headlamp assemblies during vibrations. By employing finite element analysis (FEA) and experimental validation, the study identifies the optimal resonance frequency that mitigates the risk of resonance-induced damage. Additionally, the study examines the influence of geometric modifications on the bumper’s performance. Various design iterations are analyzed to determine the most effective configuration for enhancing durability while maintaining compliance with industry standards. The optimized design not only reduces the overall weight of the vehicle, contributing to improved fuel efficiency, but also extends the lifespan of the bumper and headlamp assemblies. The findings of this research have significant implications for the commercial vehicle industry. The implementation of lightweight bumpers with optimized resonance frequency can lead to substantial cost savings by decreasing the frequency of repairs and replacements.

Pandey, Sudheer, Ganesan, Balaji

Design and Development of Steering based Adaptive Headlight System

2024-28-0272

12/5/2024

Driving at night presents a myriad of challenges, with one of the most significant being visibility, especially on curved roads. Despite the fact that only a quarter of driving occurs at night, research indicates that over half of driving accidents happen during this period. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for improved illumination solutions, particularly on curved roads, to enhance driver visibility and consequently, safety. Conventional headlamp systems, while effective in many scenarios, often fall short in adequately illuminating curved roads, thereby exacerbating the risk of accidents during nighttime driving. In response to this critical issue, considerable efforts have been directed towards the development of alternative technologies, chief among them being Adaptive Front Lighting Systems (AFS). The primary objective of this endeavor is to design and construct a prototype AFS that can seamlessly integrate into existing fixed headlamp systems. Throughout the conceptualization phase, key considerations revolve around prioritizing accuracy, reliability, and component availability to ensure the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solution. AFS represents a groundbreaking innovation in automotive lighting technology, aimed at addressing the shortcomings of conventional headlamp systems, particularly in illuminating curved roads. Unlike static headlamps, which emit a fixed beam pattern regardless of driving conditions, AFS adjusts headlamp intensity based on various factors such as vehicle speed, steering angle, and road curvature. By leveraging sensors and sophisticated control algorithms, AFS is able to anticipate the direction of travel and adjust the direction and intensity of the headlamp beam accordingly. This adaptive functionality not only enhances driver visibility on curved roads but also reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by limited visibility in challenging driving conditions. The conceptualization and design phase of the AFS prototype involve a meticulous process aimed at ensuring the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solution. Key considerations include the selection of suitable components, the development of robust control algorithms, and the integration of advanced technologies such as Arduino microcontrollers. One of the primary challenges in designing an AFS prototype lies in balancing performance with cost-effectiveness.

T, Karthi, G, Manikandan, P C, Murugan, S, Sakthivel, N, Vinu, P, Dineshkumar

Sensata's sensors aid blind spot monitoring for tractor-trailers

24TOFHP12_08

12/1/2024

Sensata Technologies' booth at this year's IAA Transportation tradeshow included two of the company's Precor radar sensors. The PreView STA79 is a heavy-duty vehicle side-monitoring system launched in May 2024 and designed to comply with Europe-wide blind spot monitoring legislation introduced in June 2024. The PreView Sentry 79 is a front- and rear-monitoring system. Both systems operate on the 79-GHz band as the nomenclature suggests. PreView STA79 can cover up to three vehicle zones: a configurable center zone, which can monitor the length of the vehicle, and two further zones that can be independently set to align with individual customer needs. The system offers a 180-degree field of view to eliminate blind spots along the vehicle sides and a built-in measurement unit that will increase the alert level when turning toward an object even when the turn indicator is not used. The system also features trailer mitigation to reduce false positive alerts on the trailer when turning. The system is UN 151 compliant.

Kendall, John

Design and Maintenance Considerations for Aircraft Exterior Lighting Plastic Lenses

ARP5637A (Current)

11/21/2024

The information in this document is intended to apply to commercial jet transport category airplanes that incorporate plastic (polycarbonate or acrylic) lenses on exterior light assemblies, or are being considered for such an application as opposed to glass lens designs. Exterior lighting applications include position light assemblies, anticollision light asemblies, and landing light assemblies. However, much of the material provided herein is general in nature and is directly applicable to many aircraft categories including, but not limited to, helicopters, general aviation aircraft, and military aircraft.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Some Factors Affecting Visibility of Aircraft Navigation and Anticollision Lights

AIR1106B (Current)

11/21/2024

The scope of this SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) is to discuss factors affecting visibility of aircraft navigation and anticollision lights, enabling those concerned with their use to have a better technical understanding of such factors, and to aid in exercising appropriate judgment in the many possible flight eventualities.

A-20B Exterior Lighting Committee

Clearance, Sidemarker, and Identification Lamps for On-Road Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

J2042_202411 (Current)

11/1/2024

This SAE Standard provides requirements, test procedures, and installation guidelines for clearance, sidemarker, and identification lamps intended for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width. Sidemarker lamps conforming to the requirements of this document may also be used on vehicles less than 2032 mm in overall width.

Heavy Duty Lighting Standards Committee

Motorcycle Turn Signal Lamp

J131_202411 (Current)

11/1/2024

This SAE Standard provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for motorcycle turn signal lamps. It does not apply to mopeds.

Motorcycle Lighting Standards Committee

Limited Adaptive Forward Lighting System

J2591_202410 (Current)

10/1/2024

This SAE Recommended Practice applies to motor vehicle Forward Illumination Devices which incorporate limited adaptive beam pattern capabilities. This document is to be used in conjunction with other forward lighting standards and/or recommended practices which define the base beam procedures, requirements, and guidelines.

Road Illumination Devices Standards Committee

Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy Study of Cr(III) Sealing in Anodized Aluminum-Silicon Alloys

2024-01-3038

9/8/2024

The work investigates the penetration depth of a low environmental impact Cr(III)-based sealing on two anodized Aluminum-Silicon alloys (i.e., EN AC-42200 and EN AC-43200) for brake system applications. EN AC-42200 and EN AC-43200 specimens are: 1) obtained by sectioning of gravity cast components; 2) anodized using different process times to obtain different anodic layer thicknesses; and 3) sealed in a Cr(III)-based proprietary sealing solution at low temperature. The obtained sealed anodic layers are characterized using several techniques including: Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES), metallographic analyses and Eddy current thickness measurements. Results demonstrate that: a) the Cr(III) concentration within the anodic layers shows an exponentially decreasing trend from the specimen surface toward the anodic layer-substrate interface; b) the typical thickness of the sealing layer is in the order of 1.5μm; and c) the Cr(III) penetration depth is only marginally affected by the thickness of the anodic layers and composition of the Aluminum-Silicon alloy under investigation.

Pavesi, Arianna, Fumagalli, Luca, Abello, Mary Angel, Bonfanti, Andrea, Mancini, Alessandro, Vedani, Maurizio, Bertasi, Federico

PRODUCT BRIEFS

24AUTP08_13

8/1/2024

Lighting and Marking of Industrial Equipment on Highways

J99_202406 (Current)

6/13/2024

To provide specifications for lighting and marking of industrial wheeled equipment whenever such equipment is operated or traveling on a highway.

OPTC3, Lighting and Sound Committee

Test Methods and Equipment for Lighting Devices for Use on Vehicles Less than 2032 mm in Overall Width

J575_202406 (Historical)

6/1/2024

This SAE Recommended Practice is intended as a guide toward standard practice and is subject to change to keep pace with experience and technical advances. This document provides standardized laboratory tests, test methods and equipment, and requirements for lighting devices covered by SAE Recommended Practices and Standards. It is intended for devices used on vehicles less than 2032 mm in width. Tests for vehicles larger than 2032 mm in overall width are covered in SAE J2139. Device specific tests and requirements can be found in applicable SAE technical reports.

Test Methods and Equipment Stds Committee

PRODUCT BRIEFS

24AUTP06_13

6/1/2024

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