Results
Test 1
This test was done in a city crescent at night. The corner cube retro reflector was moved farther from the projector until it could not be seen on the video display. The corner cub retro reflector disappeared from sight at less than 40 paces. This test was a failure because of a number of reasons. Since the test was conducted in the city, there was too much ambient light from street lamps and houses. Another reason that this test failed was because the infrared LED’s were incorrectly adjusted resulting in a much weaker beam. Though this test was a failure, it shows that near infrared technology in cities is not practical.
Test 2
This test was done outside of Saskatoon at night. Three materials which were retro reflective tape, white poster paper and wood were tested by moving them farther from the projector until it could not be seen on the video display. The brown of the wood performed fairly well and could not be seen at 50 paces. The white poster paper could be seen further at 60 paces. The retro reflective tape performed the best and could be seen beyond 100 paces. This test was a success showing that near infrared light works in the country. During the test, it was observed that there were five separate beams of near infrared light. Instead of joining together into a focused beam, the beams were spread out individually. Therefore since only one near infrared LED achieved the above distances, if the beam was focused or had more intensity it would achieve much farther distances.
Video of Reflective tape deer test
Test 3
This test was done outside of Saskatoon at night. This test used normal car headlights on low beams as a control group. The retro reflective tape deer and white poster paper were tested. At 70 paces, the white poster paper could not be seen. However, the retro reflective tape deer could be seen beyond 300 paces. Using high beams, the retro reflective tape deer was much more visible than on low beams.
The retro-reflective tape is definitely more efficient at visible light than IR light.
Monetary costs
Cost of materials to make spotlight projector
5 near infrared LED’s = $8.00
Projection lens = free
Voltage regulator = $2.00
Cost of infrared camera - $120.00
