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EV's with regen braking and manual transmission vehicles are in the same boat: unless they light up when slowing, following drivers will be surprised. The bare

EV's with regen braking and manual transmission vehicles are in the same boat: unless they light up when slowing, following drivers will be surprised. The bare standard IMO for all vehicles should not be to light up when brakes are applied but instead any time the vehicle begins decelerating. Adding flashing for a strong stop ~~ >0.75g would be a bonus. Given all the sensors and compute hardware on vehicles -- even bikes -- these days it should just be a software touch. The Technology Connections YT guy has a whole piece analyzing tail lights and I agree with him.

krisoft 1y ago
> Adding flashing for a strong stop ~~ >0.75g would be a bonus. Is that a good idea? A flashing brake light could appear as if the brake was let go, which is the exact opposite of the message you would want to send in that case. Or maybe we are talking about flashing between two different illuminated states?
- netsharc 1y ago
  Hard braking on modern cars activate the hazards lights, which are the blinkers.
- K0balt 1y ago
  Quick flashing or high/low would be the way, but quick flashing is very attention getting (with led)
- Reason077 1y ago
  It’s a common (mandatory?) feature in Europe. Brake lights flash under very hard / emergency brake conditions. The flashing is very rapid, definitely gets your attention, and couldn’t be confused for “letting go” of the brake.
  - BrandoElFollito 1y ago
    For cars at last I thought it were the warning lights that were going off. Mostly because this is a common way to inform others that there are problems ahead (and a bed to quickly brake)
martin_a 1y ago
Regarding EVs: That's already implemented that way. Once EVs start braking more than "expected from roll resistance" the braking lights come on. I think there were also bugs on some Hyundais where they wouldn't stop or start or whatever, but I think that was sorted. With my Skoda I can see the braking lights go on when I change a higher regeneration step.
kjkjadksj 1y ago
You’d only be surprised if you were absolutely on someones ass. Engine braking is not quite that effective. In fact this will make traffic worse due to stop n go effect from brakelights triggering more brakelights instead of coasting.
munificent 1y ago
For what it's worth, I've driven a manual for the past 25 years in the US and I haven't noticed any significant increase in tailgated even when I decelerate. I'm definitely the kind of stick driver who avoids braking and pushes in the clutch and lets the vehicle cruise to a lower speed when possible. Granted, it's also a red (small) pick-up truck, so pretty visible.
jeroenhd 1y ago
Many automatic transmission cars already turn on their brake lights when losing speed regardless of whether the brakes are pressed or whether not enough throttle is being applied to maintain speed. I also believe some more recent cars turn on their hazards when brake speeds exceed a certain threshold (I still do that manually).

krisoft 1y ago

> Adding flashing for a strong stop ~~ >0.75g would be a bonus. Is that a good idea? A flashing brake light could appear as if the brake was let go, which is the exact opposite of the message you would want to send in that case. Or maybe we are talking about flashing between two different illuminated states?

netsharc 1y ago
Hard braking on modern cars activate the hazards lights, which are the blinkers.
K0balt 1y ago
Quick flashing or high/low would be the way, but quick flashing is very attention getting (with led)
Reason077 1y ago
It’s a common (mandatory?) feature in Europe. Brake lights flash under very hard / emergency brake conditions. The flashing is very rapid, definitely gets your attention, and couldn’t be confused for “letting go” of the brake.
- BrandoElFollito 1y ago
  For cars at last I thought it were the warning lights that were going off. Mostly because this is a common way to inform others that there are problems ahead (and a bed to quickly brake)

martin_a 1y ago

Regarding EVs: That's already implemented that way. Once EVs start braking more than "expected from roll resistance" the braking lights come on. I think there were also bugs on some Hyundais where they wouldn't stop or start or whatever, but I think that was sorted. With my Skoda I can see the braking lights go on when I change a higher regeneration step.

kjkjadksj 1y ago

You’d only be surprised if you were absolutely on someones ass. Engine braking is not quite that effective. In fact this will make traffic worse due to stop n go effect from brakelights triggering more brakelights instead of coasting.

munificent 1y ago

For what it's worth, I've driven a manual for the past 25 years in the US and I haven't noticed any significant increase in tailgated even when I decelerate. I'm definitely the kind of stick driver who avoids braking and pushes in the clutch and lets the vehicle cruise to a lower speed when possible. Granted, it's also a red (small) pick-up truck, so pretty visible.

jeroenhd 1y ago

Many automatic transmission cars already turn on their brake lights when losing speed regardless of whether the brakes are pressed or whether not enough throttle is being applied to maintain speed. I also believe some more recent cars turn on their hazards when brake speeds exceed a certain threshold (I still do that manually).