Design Brief

Project Name: Light Behind the Light 

Client's Name: Everyday Drivers 

Designers Names: Jean Pierre Aponte, Amelia Hill-Pfeffer, Rudy Padilla, Emmanuel Mata-Esqueda 

Problem Statement 

Many people in our community have stated they have accidentally run over red lights due to a semi-truck obstructing their view while at an intersection, increasing the chance of an accident. In fact, over 76% of those who participated in our poll have stated they’ve done this, with the Federal Highway Administration stating how over 45% of all car collisions at intersections are caused by accidental red light running’s, highlighting the need for a solution to reduce the amount of accidental red light running’s to mitigate the number of collisions, injuries, and fatalities that occur yearly.

Design Statement 

Our solution is to create an innovative traffic signal system that attaches to the rear doors of semi-trucks, allowing drivers behind them to clearly see the traffic light’s color at intersections. By providing real-time visibility of the traffic signal, this “Light Behind the Light” system will reduce the risk of collisions caused by drivers who are unable to see the stoplight ahead due to their obscured vision from semi-trucks. LBL’s Light Behind the Light will promote a more convenient driving experience when following semi-trucks, ultimately preventing further fatal accidents. 

Target Audience 

• Truck Manufacturers 

• Government policies 

• Semi-truck owners 

• Insurance companies 

• Everyday Drivers 

Milestones and Schedule 

• Milestone 1: 

  • Goal: Have the Prototype/Design of the Stoplight Halfway Done 

  • Deadline: December 2024 

  • Deliverable: The building of our stoplight will be halfway done along with our documentary of our stoplight halfway done as well. 

• Milestone 2: 

  • Goal: Final Design / Prototype for the Stoplight 

  • Deadline: January - February 2025 

  • Deliverable: Physical product that will be able to be tested by the team 

• Milestone 3: 

  • Goal: Complete Project Documentaries 

  • Deadline: February - March 2025 

  • Deliverable: Provide a video file of our documentary (.mp4, .mov, etc.) 

Budget 

A personal stoplight with the wiring and technology we will have to implement to allow the stoplight to work and connect to actual stoplight signals on the street will range anywhere from $500 - $1,500 at its max. 

Deliverables 

• Fully functional stoplight that will: 

  • Change colors according to the stoplight ahead 

  • Be usable on the road for drivers' convenience 

• A portfolio with: 

  • Documentation of the process 

  • Gantt Chart 

  • Progress of the creation of the prototype 

• Documentary of the team journey throughout the project 

Stakeholders and Review Process 

Mentors will provide us feedback on our design and ideas throughout the entire process, helping guide us to build the best final product possible. Final Judges will provide feedback on final presentations and solutions that were developed by group members and aided by the mentor.

Competitor Product #1 - A stop sign brake light for vehicles features an octagonal main body with a reflective border and the word "STOP" prominently displayed at its center. The reflective border and the word "STOP" are outlined by multiple illuminated elements. The system includes a controller with a wiring harness designed to connect to the vehicle's power source. 

Competitor Product #2 - The Traffic Light Replicator is a device for big trucks or buses. It uses a camera to detect the color of the traffic light ahead (green, yellow, or red) and sends that info to a control unit. This unit then lights up the same color on a display at the back of the vehicle. This helps drivers behind the truck or bus see the traffic light, even if it's blocked from their view. Showing the light colors helps prevent accidents by letting drivers know when to stop or go. 

Competitor Product #3 - A product that displays the traffic light color inside the vehicle, changing with the signal. Its strength lies in allowing drivers to see the light without relying on an external view. However, a key weakness is that it may be unnecessary since the traffic light is already visible through the windshield. 

With multiple competitor products, our team set out to create a product that would be able to provide the most convenient driving experience by using some of the best features that were featured in the competitor products and implementing them into our own product. The sketches detail how the projection of the Traffic Signal will be in the back of the semi-truck, with the use of sensors used in the front of the semi-truck as described below by the sketches of the sensor.