Questions from Google's 10 to 100th Challenge
StrobeWise™
10. What one sentence best describes your idea?
StrobeWise™ provides up to 10 seconds of additional warning time to following
vehicles of a critical event, far in advance of brake lights alone.
11. Describe your idea in more depth.
StrobeWise™ is a microprocessor based, LED warning light which monitors vehicle
speed, via the vehicle’s existing speed sensor, one thousand times per second and
flashes its center-high-mounted amber strobe rearward upon deceleration
detection. StrobeWise™ provides an additional 1 to 10 seconds of additional
warning time to drivers of following vehicles warning of a slowing or stopping event
ahead, far in advance of brake lights alone. The device is mounted on the vehicle
internally or externally, while pointing rearward and retrofits on nearly all vehicles
later than 1993. StrobeWise™ also continually flashes when the vehicle is
stationary, mitigating stationary -vehicle involved rear-end collisions. Its flash rate
and brightness correspond to the rate of deceleration. It even flashes extra bright
when stationary within a tunnel, warning traffic that has yet to enter the tunnel. It
Conforms to Federal Vehicle Safety Standards and state vehicle codes. Has been
tested and used on U.S. highways for over 12 months. It is easy to install and very
affordable. StrobeWise™ is the most effective rear-end collision warning system
(CWS) available. It is perfectly suited for protecting occupants of private,
commercial, fleet and government vehicles.
Surveys reveal that eighty-seven percent of respondents would choose new autos
equipped with StrobeWise™ over ones without and seventy-nine percent believe
the technology should be included as standard equipment on all vehicles sold.
12. What problem or issue does your idea address?
Roughly 3 million rear-end collisions occur in the U.S. each year, injuring more than
1.5 million people while costing $15 billion in property damage. The NTSB has
determined that if following drivers had just 0.5 to 1.0 second of additional warning
time, 60% to 90% of these collisions could be avoided. NTSB Special Investigative
Report SIR-01/01.
Carbon emissions would be reduced if vehicles were equipped with StrobeWise™.
Because drivers will have increased warning of slowing or stopping events, less
braking is required. Braking accounts for 5.8% of total energy input of ground
vehicles, equating to 295 million barrels of oil and 73 million metric tons of CO2
emission annually within the US alone. Our tests show that StrobeWise™ will cause
decreased braking of more than 10%, eliminating the use 29.5 million barrels of oil
and 4.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emission each year.
13. If your idea were to become a reality, who would benefit the most and
how?
When StrobeWise™ becomes widely adopted the occupants of 890.8 million
ground transportation vehicles world-wide will have their risk of being injured in rear-
end collisions reduced by 60% to 90%.
Habitants world-wide will benefit by reduced consumption of 140.5 million barrels of
oil each year and the elimination of 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas
emission each year
14. What are the initial steps required to get this idea off the ground?
All of the heavy lifting (design, R&D, beta testing, patents) has been completed. We
need corporate partners who maintain fleet vehicles to install the devices and to
participate in a controlled study. Once this study is completed and results are
published manufacturers and governments will be motivated to implement the
technology.
15. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and
successfully implemented. How would you measure it?
A direct and measurable reduction (60% to 90%) in rear-impact collisions will occur
once the technology is implemented. Specific rear-impact collision data shall be
accumulated and quantified from a controlled study comparing vehicles with the
technology and an equal number without the technology. Related insurance claims
will decline in number and in value resulting in a reduction in premiums. A direct
and demonstrable reduction of traffic congestion will occur. The reduction of traffic
congestion is correspondent with reduction of braking, fuel consumption and
greenhouse emissions.
18. If you'd like to recommend a specific organization, or the ideal type of
organization, to execute your plan, please do so here.
Google™ corporate and employee owned vehicles would be ideal for our controlled
study. Qwest and FedEx corporate fleets would also be idea.