The Washington times., 1921-07-02
ENGINEERS PLAN
IDEAL LIGHTS FOR
LINCOLN HIGHWAY
General Electric Staff Works on
Illuminating Problem for
Rural Sections.

The problem of providing proper
lighting for country roads II to re-
csivs careful consideration In the con-
structioh of the Ideal Section Of the
Lincoln Highway
The great increase In the volume
OF heavy freight trucking on main
routes between large oenters. whore
in many Instances motor express lines
operate on, regular schedules and fre-
quently at night. along roads already
congested with . heavy passenger
traffic, has brought the question OF
Illuminating rural roads to the fore
ground.
A number Of important main high
ways have been lighted for certain
distances through the open country.
but II IL doubtful II q careful and de-
tailed scientific study of the problem
involved has a. yet boen made. The
methods employed to light such high
ways as have been illuminated have
varied with the ideas and finances Of
the many scattered counties and oom-
munities Undertaking such lighting
and the results have frequently been
disappointing. In fact. many drivers
have complained that some methods
own purpose In making the road oven
moro dangerous for night travel than
II II were left totally dark and drivers
left to depend upon their own head
lights.
SAFETY OF NIGHT DRIVERS.
Certainly the providing of = brill
liant light at stated intervals. over
crowded routes OF travel does not
answer the purpose. Such lights, II
placed st improper heights. shine in
the drivers eyes. or on rainy nights
are reflected from the pavement.
The purpose OF lighting rural high
ways is solely to provide for the
safety of night drivers. Accidents
which occur after dark are generally
the result Of the injudicious use OF
giaring headlights. The lighting an
stallation which would permit OF all
vehicles operating with their head
lights dimmed, as in cities, would
undoubtedly make for safer condi-
tions.
The technical committee appointed
by the Lincoln Highway Association
to determine the specifications for the
Ideal Section of the Lincoln Highway.
that standard of excellence for
Lincoln Highway Association will
construct at some central point on
the great transcontinental road, early
agreed unanimously that the Ideal
Section should be lighted. They did
not attempt TO say how. The prob
lem was one for the best Illuminating
experts and engineers obtainable.
Now arrangements have been made
by the Lincoln Highway Association
with the General Electric Company,
of Schenectady. N. Y, whereby the
Illuminating experts OF that organi-
ration will develop an ideal lighting
tnstailat ion which will be put In
along the Ideal Section.
G. e. EXPERT LAYS PLANS.
w. Darcy Ryan. chief iliuminat-
ing engineer of the General Electric |
Company. the man who originated and |
developed the lighting arrangements
for the Panama Pacific Exposition,
wiz, with the assistance of his stan,
develop In consultation with the As
sociation's consulting highway en-
gineers. the best, safest. most econom-
ical and satisfactory lighting install
lstion possible. Mr.. Ryan and other
officials of the General Electric Com
problems presented and mean to pro-
vide an installation along the Ideal
Section which will serve as an ex-
ample for the lighting of thousands
Of miles of American highways dur
ms the coming years.
As the details of the installation
are developed, complete information
will be provided to highway author
ties In every section OF the country
by the Lincoln Highway Association,
whose purpose In the development of
Ihe Ideal Section Is solely educational.
Like the United States Rubber
Company, which. because OF the inter-
sst of it's officials in the development
II modern Highways. contributed the
'und for the construction OF the Ideal
Section, the General Electric Com
>any will contribute the service of
to experts, the facilities of its lab
,ratories and the fullest.co- operation
" Its entire organisation, In the de-
'elopment Of the Ideal" lighting In