Lighting technology is evolving at a rapid pace. From initial development, to its actual use, the lighting industry is constantly progressing. One only has to consider the impact LEDs have had in such applications as automotive lighting and traffic signals to see how far lighting has evolved.

In addition to new technologies, the lighting industry is constantly striving to better understand how consumers react to it. Organizations such as University of Michigan Traffic Research (UMTRI) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are leading the way in studying how lighting makes environments safer, easier and more efficient.

Another driving force behind lighting research is the need to reduce the amount of energy lighting uses. The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) is one of the many organizations researching these solutions.

Each year, the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) numerous papers on automotive lighting products.

Some interesting SAE publications include:

• PT-60 Motor Vehicle Lighting (1996)
• PT-98 Advances in Lighting Technology (2003)
• SP-286 Lighting Systems for Motor Vehicle
• SP-857 Vehicle Lighting Design for Optimal Visibility & Performance
• SP-1033 Human Factors: Lighting, Mirrors & User Needs
• SP-1081 Fiberoptics for Automotive Lighting
• SP-1249 International Lighting Technology
• SP-1323 Automotive Lighting Technology
• SP-1424 Advances in Automotive Lighting Technology
• SP-1531 Automotive Lighting Research
• SP-1595 Lighting Technology Development for Automobiles
• SP-1668 Advanced Lighting Technology for Vehicles
• SP-1787 Lighting Technology
• SP-1932 Lighting Technology and Human Factors

Progress in Automotive Lighting (PAL)

Volumes 1-10 detail symposium papers and other lighting subjects. You may purchase from Herbert Utz Verlag. (a German Language Website)