Emergency Responder Roadside Safety Study and Lighting Demonstration

Emergency vehicle lighting has pros and cons. While they do warn drivers that there is a hazard ahead, they also draw the attention of the driver to the lights, distracting them from the road. This results in a dangerous situation for both the driver and the first responders. This study, will explore the causation behind the effects of emergency vehicle lighting on drivers and the crashes that they cause. A lighting prototype will be created to test different lighting circumstances to determine which ones have the least harmful effects on drivers, while still preforming their job of warning them that there is an upcoming risk. By discovering optimal conditions for emergency vehicle lighting, the working environment for first responders and the driving environment for drivers will become safer. Ultimately a sounder setting will decrease the amount of crashes that are caused by distracted driving due to emergency vehicle lighting. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak this study is ongoing. A drive through lighting demonstration is currently being designed for the steak holders, in order to minimize contact