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Reflections on IFAL 2026: CIE Division 4 and Emerging Work on Automotive Lighting

 



– Article by: Steve Lau, Division Secretary of CIE Division 4 – Transportation and Exterior Applications

The 14th International Forum of Automotive Lighting, China (IFAL 2026), organised by the Institute of Electric Light Sources, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, Fudan University, was held from 15–17 June 2026 in Shanghai, China. The event was organised with the strategic support of CIE Division 4: Transportation and Exterior Applications and the China Illuminating Engineering Society (CIES) / CIE National Committee of China.

The forum brought together more than 300 delegates from universities, research institutes and leading enterprises across multiple countries and regions. Discussions focused on recent advances in frontier topics, including optical performance measurement of full-width intelligent vehicle lamps, Head-up Display (HUD) inspection, optical devices for pixelated headlamps, intelligent sensing, Digital Light Processing (DLP) projection interaction, driver risk perception, and cockpit ambient lighting.

These topics are closely aligned with the CIE Research Strategy and with the ongoing work of CIE Division 4: Transportation and Exterior Applications. The forum was attended by CIE Division 4 Director Dionýz Gašparovský, Division Secretary Steve Lau, and Division 4 member Tomas Novak of the Czech Republic, who also took part in the opening ceremony.

Building on the automotive-lighting topics discussed at IFAL 2026, CIE aims to address the gap between road lighting and automotive lighting and to consider their combined effects on the visibility of obstructions, as well as ways to mitigate obtrusive light resulting from the combination of both lighting systems. To support this work, CIE Division 4 is currently establishing an Expert Group on vehicle lighting to discuss relevant matters related to automotive lighting and other transportation applications.

In addition to its engagement with IFAL, Division 4 intends to strengthen its involvement in automotive lighting and related transportation applications, including through continued exchange with relevant organisations and individual experts in the field. In this context, CIE already has very close and well-established relations with the International Automotive Lighting and Light Signalling Expert Group (GTB), particularly through CIE Divisions 2 and 4. This cooperation is also reflected in CIE S 027:2024 Photometry of road illumination devices, light-signalling devices and retroreflective devices for road vehicles. While no specific new work item has yet been defined, there is an intention within Division 4 to give greater attention to automotive lighting in its future activities.

Alongside these automotive-lighting activities, CIE Division 4 continues its broader work on road lighting. The Division is currently working towards updating its road lighting recommendations on the basis of robust scientific evidence, a complex and challenging task that requires consideration of the different needs of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and other road users. This includes differences in speed, sight direction, viewing angles and other aspects of visual performance and visual comfort. The findings will ultimately contribute to comprehensive road lighting recommendations addressing the needs of all road users. This work also involves revisiting the fundamental principles of night-time driving and road lighting as measures to improve road safety — an approach referred to within the CIE Division 4 community as the “back to roots” direction.

These questions are also closely related to the CIE Workshop on “Future Topics in Road Lighting”, taking place on 13–14 October 2026 in Torino, where current and future directions in road lighting will be discussed. For further background, see below for a selection of key CIE publications and research on this topic.

As an international scientific and standardisation organisation, CIE’s National Committees serve as key points of contact within their respective countries. Local experts are encouraged to engage with their National Committees; contact details are available on the CIE website here. Experts interested in contributing to CIE’s work in this field are also invited to contact CIE Division 4 directly: Prof. Dionýz Gašparovský (dionyz@gasparovsky.sk), Director of CIE Division 4, or Steve Lau (stevelau@china-yd.com), Secretary of CIE Division 4.