This allows for fewer hits of the luminaire poles and easier snow plowing operations. Only used in the city of Alamogordo, Sunspot Solar Observatory, Alamogordo Space Center. I have heard they are moving away from it. Design Manual guidelines include a discussion of light pollution concerns. Our special provisions require full-cutoff characteristics on all new highway lighting projects without expressly stating the type of luminaire and lens to use.
Maine has a valid point.
And it is one that needs to be addressed. Thus the North American and International lighting standards organizations do not agree with each other as to the definition of cutoff. These organizations need to come up with a quantitative definition of full-cutoff . We wish to thank the lighting engineers and technicians at the transportation departments of all 50 states for responding to our survey, and for providing many helpful comments. Hopefully, this survey will help to foster communication between the states regarding roadway lighting and related issues.