AllQuality Custom Auto Accessories
High Tech Daytime Running Lights modules, Safer for Modern Vehicles
Auto Accessories
Premium Quality AMBER Turn Signal, Headlight / HID, and Driving / Fog Light DRL conversion kits for Cars and Motorcycles, also DRL 'Turn Off' kits, + Professional Grade AMBER LED signal bulbs
Independent Scientific and Photometric Evidence: Full Power Low Beam Headlight off-axis output = targeted at only 437 candela by law ________________________________________________________ Upper graph - Bright Daylight Results, viewed 3 degrees off axis; Bottom graph - Cloudy / Overcast Day, same 3 drgree off axis view (note that duller conditions increase visual range, as one would expect) 80 kph | = 50 mph In each case above, the relative performances of the signal lamps were maintained. Major Finding From This Study: The author of this study on DRLs applied the CIE recommendations [CIE is the international authority on lighting standards] to work carried out on US school buses, and documented that low beam headlights project a maximum luminous intensity of only 437candela in direction of oncoming motorists! [Notice the low beam headlights entry on the bottom of the white light (blue) curve just above 400 cd] The above graphical analysis shows: At 50 mph, the amber output DRLs were visible to the human eye approximately 1.8 seconds SOONER than white DRL lighting, both lights being of equal intensity. On a cloudy day, similarly, the amber output DRLs were visible at least 75 meters (245 ft) SOONER than white DRL light at 50 mph (80 km/h). At 50 mph, amber output DRLs were visible to the human eye approximately 3.4 seconds SOONER than white DRL lighting (245 ft / 73 ft/sec = 3.4 sec). The facts above show that amber turn signal DRLs give a few seconds more reaction time than white headlight DRLs in a multi-party accident. These few extra seconds equate to extra reaction time and can potentially be the difference between life and death in dangerous or life threatening collision situations. The above analysis also revealed... The author of the study above discovered that low beam headlights, even though they emit up to tens of thousands of candella of white light output [pointed at the ground], are not as effective as bright amber turn signal DRLs with output levels of AMBER light output. Here is one of the author's quotes: "A key point is that most [DRL] effectiveness studies are based on a large proportion of vehicles with low beam headlight DRLs, but photometric analysis suggests that these [low beam headlights at full output] are only marginally effective on all but very dull days. Recent U.S. research on several types of daytime running lights used in General Motors* cars has shown that bright turn signal DRLs are more effective than headlight DRLs..." To emphasize this point, in the SAE/GM* study below, amber DRLs offered a collision reduction rate of 12.40%, where full power low beam headlights offered a collision reduction rate of only 3.23% ! Background luminance for bright daylight was 10,000 cd/m^2; and, as noted above, was 1000 cd/m^2 for a cloudy day. Every 100 meters is just over 325 feet; 80 kilometer/hour equals 50 mph, or 73 ft/sec. (60 kph = 37 mph, or 55 ft/sec) Notice 'GM* turn DRL' at top of each yellow curve, at 1750 CID light intensity. Every different model turn signal housing has its own reflective characteristic output when equipped with standard turn signal bulbs, estimated output range at between 700 to 1700 cid. light intensity. Graphical data used with the author's permission. (GM* is a registered trademark of the General Motors Corporation.) How can it be true that equal outputs of AMBER turn signal DRL light is actually seen better than white light? Confirmed by the science of photometry, experts explain this is true because the human eye is more sensitive to the middle visible light wavelengths like amber, and perceives middle wavelength colors as being brighter for the same amount of radiant energy. DRLs for Pedestrian Protection
Study Results DRL Types Reduction in Collision Rate Reduction Factor Over Other Types 12.40% n/a 8.67% 1.43 4.86% 2.55 3.23% 3.84 6.81% 1.82 2.31% 5.37 More study quotes: "The present study shows that DRLs are effective in reducing collisions with other vehicles and with pedestrians... The study does suggest a possible relationship between color contrast and conspicuity." "The recent GM study on DRL effectiveness further validates the findings of previous studies. Namely, that vehicles equipped with DRLs are in fewer collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians in the United States." "This new study and others preceeding it show DRLs to be a significant advancement in crash avoidance. Accordingly, there will be a definite benefit if DRLs are mandated in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108 - Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Bottom line: DRL Products are statistically proven to save pedestrian lives. DRLs help keep young children from wandering into the street and being struck and/or killed by an automobile at an extremely low cost addition when compared to the value it affords. This means that a percentage of all pedestrian fatalities and injuries could be prevented (child pedestrian (child-to-vehicle) reductions in this study were 14.91%!) Fact: This study confirms a large difference in effectiveness for the various implementations of DRL. Proof that DRLs not only save lives, but turn signal bulb-energized types simply work better. Remember, any DRL is better than no DRL at all. DRLs help save lives and reduce property damage, end of story. Summary: Amber light 'shines out' better in a white-flushed world Motor vehicles in the U.S. annually cause about 5000 pedestrian fatalities and 70,000 pedestrian injuries, with more than 1/3 of them occuring during daytime hours. Children 15 years of age and under account for 11% of all pedestrian fatalities, and adults 70 years and older account for another 18%. Among children between the ages of 5 and 9 who are killed in auto accidents, 25% are pedestrians. In the book "Ever Wonder Why?" by Douglas B. Smith (1991, Random House), the following question is posed: Answer: "Yellow is the most visible of all the colors in the spectrum. It can be seen from the farthest distance and is conspicuous in all lighting conditions. This makes it a natural choice for traffic signals, which must be seen from great distances." (pg 52) (Click on book title above to purchase this book from Amazon) Society of Automotive Engineers Inc., Automotive Engineering Vol. 102 ; No. 8 ; Pg. 35; ISSN: 0098-2571
______________________________________________________ Why Are Fog Lights Yellow? (link returning soon) For a six month period between October 2002 and March 2003, the city of Hiroshima, Japan conducted an unprecedented DRL experiment that helps document exactly how much energy the AllQuality device might be able to save over the course of a year. This experiment closely documents a two-prong study where 1,133 city workers and city vehicle operators were asked to drive with their headlights on as DRLs. Additionally, fourteen companies with 1,790 trucks, buses, and taxis were also asked to operate their vehicles with headlights on during daylight hours over the same period, and to closely catalog the results. From an energy viewpoint, driving with their headlights 'on' during daytime hours caused the 14 city companies to report a 3.2% overall fuel usage annual increase on average. Stated another way, the increased daytime headlight usage caused a 0.52-mpg decrease in energy efficiency (0.22 km/l) of these fleet vehicles, where their average energy consumption was in the 15 mpg range. City of Hiroshima website; -> Click here - follow second link at bottom of page, or go directly to the PDF summary page: 43.7% less pedestrian close calls City of Hiroshima website; -> Click here - follow first link at bottom of page, or go directly to the PDF summary page below: "So, just what is the logic behind DRLs?" Amber DRLs not only improve human detection over white light types or headlight operation, but they also counteract a “latitude effect,” by which white light’s effectiveness diminishes the closer one is with respect to the Earth’s equator. Also, the better a particular DRL increases conspicuity, the more effective that DRL system is. Thus, amber DRLs just work better. A Review of Daytime Running Lights (source paper) According to European studies on the effectiveness of DRLs in improving road safety, the potential savings [for white light Australian DRLs alone] are: (Note: amber turn signal DRLs, which are legal in the US and Canada, are not currently legal in Australia).
Metric based DRL studies PROVE that amber turn-signal-activated daytime automotive lighting beats headlight-driven daytime automotive lighting in bright daylight conditions (...as well as on cloudy days)
Turn Signal DRL output = targeted at 700 candela
Photometric PROOF that NOT ALL DRLs ARE CREATED EQUALLY...
Study: Signal range of 3 colors of standard vehicle lights
(For a link to this study, click here)
To contrast by comparison: 1) turn signals in the US are targeted to be 700 candela, 2) AMBER light appears brighter to the human eye than an equivalent output of white light, 3) turn signals are physically aimed at other the eye level of oncoming motorists [headlights are aimed at the ground 10 car lengths ahead], and 4) turn signals in many cases are designed for better side corner or off-angle visibility.
[Notice the turn signal entry on the AMBER light (yellow) curve right at 700 candela]
THIS MEANS TURN SIGNAL DRLs OUT PERFORM LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BY NEARLY 60%* IN RELATIVE "OTHER ROADWAY USERS" OUTPUT ALONE
(*700 candela output for Turn DRLs versus 437 candela of off-axis output for daytime headlights)
On a bright day, an amber turn signal DRL light was compared with an equal-light-intensity white DRL light. The amber output DRLs were visible approximately 40 meters (130 ft [difference; on x-axis]) SOONER than white DRL light at 80 km/h (50 mph or 73 feet/second).
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Comparative systemic evidence: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) technical paper;
(This paper is for sale $12 at sae.org; #203-01-2072. Author: Paul A Thompson, General Motors Corp.)
This DRL study presented in 2003 shows statistical evidence of an estimated 772 fewer pedestrian collisions since 1995 when GM began including DRLs as standard equipment on all their vehicles. More strikingly, 348 of these pedestrian collisions would have involved children under 12…
This study quotes "For pedestrians of all ages, a reduction is estimated for vehicles equipped with DRLs as high as 9.93%. For children under the age of twelve the reduction is estimated as high as 14.91%."
This study also states: "Among the findings of the new study is a noticeable positive effect of turn signal DRLs." Findings in this study also PROVE turn signal DRLs are superior when compared to other DRL types:
Amber Turn Signal DRLs
Dedicated bulb
Reduced Intensity High Beam
Full Intensity Low Beam Headlights
Reduced Intensity High/Low Beam
Reduced Intensity Low Beam
NOTE: Amber Turn Signal DRLs are proven 3.8 times more effective than low beam headlights when it comes to collision reduction.
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"Ever wonder why most traffic signals and markers are yellow?"
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SAE study PROVES daytime running lights reduce rental car collision repair bills by 69%!
This white-light DRL study considers vehicle collision damage and repair costs only, and excludes human fatalities and injuries;
In 1994, Avis Rent A Car, Inc. announced the results of a traveler-safety study analyzing the incidence and degree of damage to cars equipped with daytime running lights. The study showed a significantly greater degree of damage to those vehicles without daytime running lights (DRLs). Only headlight-type DRLs were utilized in this study. (Keep in mind that amber turn signal DRLs are proven more effective.)
Results:
Two Dept. of Energy physics professors also help us understand why amber light is superior, when they answer the question:
Why AMBER: Experts explain that the human eye is more sensitive to the middle visible light wavelengths [green and yellow] and percieves these colors as being brighter for the same radiant energy.
Color experts note that AMBER is a blend of yellow and orange that is more visible to the human eye than pure yellow itself.
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City of Hiroshima, Japan performs an extensive 2-prong DRL external transportation experiment: 1790 trucks & taxis + 1133 city vehicles operate low beam headlights as DRLs over 6 month time period
Survey of Companies Experimenting with Daytime Running Lights Overview (pdf)
As a side note, the Hiroshima study also documents a 27.7% reduction in property loss accidents for the 1,790 buses, trucks, and taxis involved. The city group experienced 12.4% less overall close calls. In depth analysis of close calls revealed:
40% less head-on collision close calls
42.9% less left turn close calls, and
An Experiment with Daytime Running Lights(pdf)
Study Summary: Driving with full power low beam headlights energized during the day causes a 3.2% increase in annual fuel consumption on average for motor vehicles.
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Independent German evidence confirms the Hiroshima, Japan daytime headlight usage fuel consumption numbers above
The Federal Highway Research Institute in Germany also showed that standard low beam* headlight usage increases motor vehicle annual fuel consumption by 3 per cent, as extra power must be generated to energize these lights. (*Low beams are called 'dipped' headlights in Europe)
(For source article, click here) 
Lights 'ON' in the daytime make some people ask:
The logic behind DRLs is that they have only one function; to improve vehicle conspicuity during the daytime. Studies show that the earlier you detect another vehicle on the roadway and can estimate its distance and speed, the less likely you will be involved in a crash with that vehicle. Subsequently, the presence of DRLs simply improves human detection.
Daytime running lights take best advantage of the fact that the human eye tends to be light seeking. This is especially important for peripheral vision: vision which will not readily pick up an object unless it contrasts strongly with the environmental background or moves against it. By drawing a driver's attention to your vehicle, DRLs reduce the chances of a cycle, pedestrian, or another vehicle moving unexpectedly into your path.
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Australia's foremost DRL expert, Michael Paine, reports in his study:
Report for Vehicle Design & Research Pty Ltd (NRMA & RACV - Sydney, July 2003)
25% of daytime multi-vehicle fatal crashes (11% of all non-pedestrian fatal accidents)
28% of daytime fatal pedestrian crashes (12% of all fatal pedestrian accidents)
20% of daytime multi-vehicle injury crashes, and
12% of daytime multi-vehicle property crashes.
Paine's research finds that the largest savings from daytime running lights would be in high severity crashes, including head-on and intersection crashes, and collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. His quote:
"These are remarkable (potential) savings for a relatively simple vehicle safety feature."
Also look at 33 years of world DRL studies summary (returning soon)
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