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Study finds blue lighting keeps drivers awake

Study finds blue lighting keeps drivers awake

Viknesh Vijayenthiran April 3rd, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author April 3rd, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 The usual methods of winding down the window or turning up the stereo to stay awake on long journeys are mediocre at best, but carmakers are working hard to develop new safety features to prevent motorists from falling asleep behind the wheel. Mercedes-Benz is testing a system that uses face-recognition software to detect if a driver is getting drowsy, while Toyota and a number of Japanese suppliers are testing car seats containing pressure-sensors that detect changes in pulse and respiration to determine how tired a driver is. Scientists at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York have come up with another solution that’s as simple as installing some blue LEDs around the cabin. Initial testing has found that by shining blue light at certain wavelengths, a driver’s alertness can be increased and their body-clock reset. A drawback of this method is that it’s only practical at night but researchers are investigating how the blue light affects daytime alertness of sleep-deprived and non-sleep-deprived subjects, reports New Scientist. The researchers are already working with a number of auto parts suppliers but they claim the project is still in the early stages.
Study finds blue lighting keeps drivers awake

Study finds blue lighting keeps drivers awake

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The usual methods of winding down the window or turning up the stereo to stay awake on long journeys are mediocre at best, but carmakers are working hard to develop new safety features to prevent motorists from falling asleep behind the wheel. Mercedes-Benz is testing a system that uses face-recognition software to detect if a driver is getting drowsy, while Toyota and a number of Japanese suppliers are testing car seats containing pressure-sensors that detect changes in pulse and respiration to determine how tired a driver is.

Scientists at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York have come up with another solution that’s as simple as installing some blue LEDs around the cabin. Initial testing has found that by shining blue light at certain wavelengths, a driver’s alertness can be increased and their body-clock reset.

A drawback of this method is that it’s only practical at night but researchers are investigating how the blue light affects daytime alertness of sleep-deprived and non-sleep-deprived subjects, reports New Scientist.

The researchers are already working with a number of auto parts suppliers but they claim the project is still in the early stages.

Tags: Safety, Odds and ends

Posted in: News


Comments (5 total)

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  1. By Howitzer #1, Posted: 4/3/2008

    the best thing to do if your too bored , just don't drive !

  2. By Roy #2, Posted: 4/3/2008

    Please don't quote everything determined by scientists as fact! Science is a process in which theories are proposed in the literature, and then further tested until they become established principles (eg, evolution is a nice example of an established priniciple). I don't know about this blue light stuff, but I do know that there was an article a few years ago in a more prestigious journal (Science) about shining light on the back of peoples' knees that was subsequently shown to be a very flawed study. Let's wait for the blue light thing to be verified before we bathe the inside of our upscale cabins with horribly fashionable blue LED light. I hate it on my phone. I hate it on my home theater system and I can tell you, I would abhor it in my car!

  3. By Gus #3, Posted: 4/3/2008

    I have heard that blue light wavelengths (like those from a laptop display) keep you awake, make it harder to fall asleep.
    I don't know how this would work in a car, too much blue light would cut your night vision, not enough wouldn't do much, I think.
    We'll see.

  4. By chris #4, Posted: 4/4/2008

    I think i'll agree with the findings here. It doesnt have to be some crazy blue light... I've noticed that the electric blue lighting in my 08 focus is really... stimulating shall we say. more so than the old one's green lighting.

    it's a really soft lighting and its more white than blue, so it isnt so much about the amount of light coming to you. I dont think it would really decrease my ability for night vision, since its more or less a bright colour than a light shining into your eye.

  5. By Gus #5, Posted: 4/4/2008

    Well, my new Mustang comes with the ability to choose from hundreds of different colors, so maybe I'll try bright blue...

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