System and method for identifying vehicle operation mode

A method for controlling an indicator accessory for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• detecting a vehicle operating requirement for operation on a roadway;
• monitoring an operating condition of the vehicle, wherein the operating condition indicates at least one of a vehicle occupancy requirement, a vehicle propulsion characteristic, and an autonomous vehicle operation condition;
• selectively activating a light source disposed on the indicator accessory in response to the operating condition;
• and
• emitting a compliance indication from a light source outward from the vehicle.

An indication accessory for a vehicle comprising:

• a housing comprising a front surface configured to display a rearward directed field of view from the vehicle and a rear surface directed in a forward operating direction of the vehicle;
• a light source in connection with the accessory and configured to emit light from the rear surface of the housing;
• an imager configured to capture image data in a field of view proximate to the vehicle;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• process the image data and identify at least one roadway symbol;
• determine an operation compliance requirement based on the roadway symbol;
• monitor an operating characteristic of the vehicle;
• based on the operating characteristic, selectively activate the light source emitting a compliance indication from the vehicle in response to the operating characteristic conforming to the operation compliance requirement.