IFAL 2019, Shanghai, 25th – 26th of June 2019

from Rainer Neumann, Varroc Lighting Systems

IFAL wants to be more focused on research studies and university activities which are very important to assist in the future to justify upcoming regulation approvals.
There is a request to justify new innovative lighting functions with :
– a benefit in terms of safety and / or comfort for the driver
– a clear demonstration that there is no disturbance factor by introducing new functions for other road users

The topics, which have been touched this year have been:
– Information about the current status of the ECE regulation
– Information on vehicles running in autonomous mode and related topics
– Presentations on condensation issues by means of special simulation tools (especially in China a hot topic)
– Information on interior lighting

The following contributions should be named:

1. Regulation: Here we discussed e.g. that the second stage of the simplification process in ECE should be more demanding in terms of a real simplification, we should be encouraged to not only follow the already existing standards, we should adopt more simplified regulation approaches. We should require just a minimum safety standard and leave optionally more and better solutions as flexible solutions open !
   The Chinese voice concerning AFS and ADB is not so enthusiastic as the European vision. If we look at megacities like Shanghai, we do not have that much occasions in night time traffic where the feature ADB could be applie.
2. The chapter autonomous running vehicles and the consequences seems to be very much overstressed than what currently is to be seen in the near future. The opinion is that the special changes in demands of lighting is not relevant in the next 10-15 years.
3. Much more of interest is the issue of condensation in China. New simulation tools including also material properties in diffusing and absorbing humidity and the special best solutions have been very much discussed in IFAL 2019 .
4. Interesting presentation of Alexander Stuckert from TU Darmstadt: he has started a study of traffic conditions in megacities by recording a complex intersection scenario in Shanghai checking all possible parameters with all road users. He also showed the current traffic accident statistic in China, where in general a reduction of total fatality rate are stated. That is a positive trend including the number of pedestrian traffic deaths.

The non motor vehicle fatalities in contrast are increasing in the last ten years by app. 40 %. These road users are very dominant in numbers in intersections in Shanghai as recorded. The study is a first step have a better understanding of the issues in megacity traffic situations like Shanghai. The study was made together with Fudan university Shanghai ( Prof. Yandan Lin) and TU Darmstadt Germany (Prof. Khanh).

1. The discussion on ADB and AFS was very interesting : There is a little bit a disappointment when one is looking at AFS that a couple of functions (adverse weather, town light) does not generate a significant improvement in visibility. China is maybe not the best place for ADB. If one is looking at big cities, and China has a lot of big cities, the chance to apply the principal of ADB is not very often. The rural roads as in Europe are not very often to be found. Even more a laser add on high beam as a pencil beam with 600m seeing distance has no application at all.
2. The application of laser scanner and the issue have to be solved; relatively big color shift and contrast gradient as usual generated with other technologies are still a big problem. Additionally, the safety add on device and the general overall investments do not forecast a quick application.
3. Interior light was also addressed (e.g. Hella Nanjing): Attractive design and entertainment affects seems to be highly appreciated in China.

The next IFAL Forum will be held 17-19.6.2020, in Shanghai. The success is very much depending on the differentiation of the major target to concentrate more on academic, research oriented studies. This will maybe not increase the total number of attendees but will achieve a position amongst the other Lighting Conferences in China. The organization of Fudan university with Prof. Yandan Lin was very professional and the building of a network with international relevant institutes and universities will be very important for a continuous success.