In an effort to protect roadside workers, Ford has developed new electronic high-visibility panels which do not rely on other light sources to be clearly visible in the dark.
The red stripes, available on Transit and Transit Custom models, are illuminated by electricity passing through a thin layer of phosphorus gas – technology already used in aeroplane cockpits and on screens for medical and military equipment. When installed, these are activated by a switch behind the driver’s seat.
Many roadside workers, such as those repairing cars, fixing potholes, or maintaining gas and water supplies operate in high-risk environments and standard reflective panels are reliant on the headlights of other vehicles for illumination.
“Roadside working is a necessary and sometimes dangerous part of the job for many of our customers,” said Simon Robinson, Chief Program Engineer, Special Vehicle Engineering, Ford of Europe. “We want to ensure that what is often essential work can be carried out as safely and effectively as possible. Creating panels that can be illuminated without having to rely on other sources of light was literally a ‘light bulb’ moment.”
