Citation

Marsh BW. Highw. Res. Board Proc. 1939; 1939.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1939, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In april, 1939, a comprehensive statement on highway lighting was prepared following appointment by the highway research board of a working committee and selection of a number of studies which should be made. Recent studies of driver behavior both in daytime and after dark by the Public Roads Administration are adding data to that already available relating to light as it affects night highway travel. A day-and- night study on a one-mile lighted section of U.S. Route 422 near Chagrin Falls, Ohio, reveals some interesting data. They are based on partially completed analyses, and certain conditions at the location studied not considered normal must be taken into account in interpreting their significance. Further studies on longer illuminated stretches and under different conditions may prove they are not typical. (1) average night speeds were somewhat lower than average day speeds, both without and with highway illumination. (2) the percentages of cars traveling faster than 45.5 m.p.h. were smaller at night than in the day, both without and with highway illumination. (3) at night, the average was slightly less with highway illumination than with no fixed illumination. (4) at night, with fixed illumination, a wet pavement did not result in a reduced average speed, though the percentage of cars exceeding 45.5 m.p.h. was lower for the wet pavement.