Study finds blue lighting keeps drivers awake

Posted Thu Apr 3 2008 7:09 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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.

Reader Comments

Thu Apr 3 2008 8:28 PM
Howitzer says

the best thing to do if your too bored , just don't drive !
Thu Apr 3 2008 8:40 PM
Roy says

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!
Thu Apr 3 2008 9:34 PM
Gus says

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.
Fri Apr 4 2008 8:13 AM
chris says

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.
Fri Apr 4 2008 9:46 AM
Gus says

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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