US headlight laws are on track to change in a way that could help aftermarket suppliers.
The infrastructure law passed last year calls for a change by 2023 that would allow adaptive driving beam headlights on US roads.
As the law must be rewritten, it’s possible that other restrictive rules around headlights may also be changed, said one aftermarket supplier. (See the new mandate below).
With adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, the car’s high beams are always on, but the car’s cameras and software shape the beams so they don’t harm oncoming drivers (or cause glare in the rear view mirror of the car ahead).
ADB headlights have been widely used in Europe and Asia for over a decade, but remain illegal in the US, based on 50+ year old law, said The New York Times.
But under a new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act mandate, headlights will meet a new standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is very similar to the system already in use in Europe, said the NY Times.
For owners of some Audi, BMW or Mercedes vehicles, the technology is already in embedded in the car and requires only a software upgrade.
The NY Times reports that ADB headlights are the tip of the iceberg. For instance, Audi’s matrix headlights in Germany can identify and spotlight a pedestrian in the road. In the future, the lights could work with the car’s navigation system, to display a large arrow in front of the vehicle that indicates the next turn.
Aftermarket suppliers said the law will open up new opportunities for aftermarket innovation.
The “Headlamp” section of the Infrastructure bill reads as follows:
SEC. 24212. <<NOTE: 49 USC 30111 note.>> HEADLAMPS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Adaptive driving beam headlamp.--The term ``adaptive
driving beam headlamp'' means a headlamp (as defined in Standard
108) that meets the performance requirements specified in SAE
International Standard J3069, published on June 30, 2016.
(2) Standard 108.--The term ``Standard 108'' means Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, contained in section
571.108 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect
on the date of enactment of this Act).
(b) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Rulemaking.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final
rule amending Standard 108--
(1) to include performance-based standards for vehicle
headlamp systems--
(A) to ensure that headlights are correctly aimed on
the road; and
[[Page 135 STAT. 826]]
(B) requiring those systems to be tested on-vehicle
to account for headlight height and lighting
performance; and
(2) to allow for the use on vehicles of adaptive driving
beam headlamp systems.
(c) Periodic Review.--Nothing in this section precludes the
Secretary from--
(1) reviewing Standard 108, as amended pursuant to
subsection (b); and
(2) revising Standard 108 to reflect an updated version of
SAE International Standard J3069, as the Secretary determines to
be--
(A) appropriate; and
(B) in accordance with section 30111 of title 49,
United States Code.
Photo: The Drive
