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Schoolgirl boosts safety

11th April 1996, Page 23
11th April 1996
Page 23
Page 23, 11th April 1996 — Schoolgirl boosts safety
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by Fabian Acker • A simple device designed to indicate the safe stopping distance between vehicles has been invented by Gemma Wicks, a 16-year-old Essex schoolgirl.

Ford is so impressed by the idea that Mike Gidlow, the com pany's chief engineer (Powertrain Systems) has invited her to spend a few days at its Research Centre at Dunton.

The device consists of a speed sensor, a line of 10 red light emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to the top of the dashboard and a Perspex screen held at 45° between the windscreen and the driver. When reflected in the screen the LEDs appear to be in a vertical line, parallel to the road.

The speed sensor illuminates each LED in turn; each LED indicates a specific speed between 32-130km/h in equal increments. The LED is reflected in the Perspex screen so that the driver sees it superimposed on the road ahead.

At 32knilli the lowest LED is lit. The driver may then adjust his speed until the LED appears to touch the rear wheel tyre/road contact patch of the vehicle in front.

If speed is increased by too much the line of illuminated LEDs will extend above the tyre/road contact patch but reducing speed will bring the LEDs back into line, ensuring a safe distance between the vehicles. The system can be adjusted according to the vehicle's stopping distance.

Although some way off commercial production, a prototype was exhibited last week at the Science Museum and picked up a Highly Commended tag at the Young Electronic Designer of the Year Awards.

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Organisations: Research Centre

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