Real-world frequency of use of lighting equipment

Abstract

This study provides information about average annual use of the following automotive lighting equipment by U.S. drivers: low- and high-beam headlamps, turn signals, back-up, license plate, parking, sidemarker, stop, and tail lamps. The data were collected as part of a naturalistic field study of crash warning systems. Eighty-seven randomly selected drivers from southeastern Michigan were provided with instrumented research vehicles (11 identical 2003 Nissan Altimas) for periods averaging 26 days and instructed to drive the research vehicle in place of their personal vehicle. The results are presented for each lamp type in terms of the average annual hours of use and minutes used per 100 km driven. These findings are discussed in relation to the rated life of various bulbs and the median life of vehicles in the U.S.