ROAD SAFETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 8

ROAD SAFETY

HIGHWAYS LIGHTING REDUCING NIGHT RISK PROPOSALS TO MINISTER TIIE GREAT SOUTH ROAD [by tklegrafh—press association] WELLINGTON, Saturday The recommendations of a subcommittee of the New Zealand Road Safety Council, which has been investigating illumination of highways, were released by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day. The report was endorsed by the Road Safety Council and the recommendations were sent forward to the Minister fot* consideration. "As the recommendations involve certain expenditure by the Government," said Mr. Semple, "I am not as yet in a position to make any statement whether they will put into effect. While sympathetic toward proposals to light our more densely trafficked rural highways, the policy of the Government in this matter has yet to be defined. I shall, however, bring the question before the Cabinet at the earliest opportunity. Finance Limitations

"For financial reasons it is manifestly impossible to provide suitable lighting for all roads," the Minister continued. "The committee considers that the highways outside the cities and largo municipalities should be illuminated where the motor traffic exceeds a certain daily volume. It is suggested that under average conditions it would be economical to light a highway when tho daily traffic volume reaches 2500 vehicles. "From the moat recent traffic records it is found that the only highways outside the cities and larger boroughs where the traffic exceeds 2500 motor-vehicles daily are: —(1) Hutt Road from Thorndon to Petone (5800 vehicles daily); (2) Great South Road from Auckland to Otahuhu (2700). This represents a total length of about 15 miles, which would be lighted if the committee's recommendations are adopted. The only other highways where this volume is at present approached arc the Great South Road from Otahuhu to Papakura and the Christ-ehurch-Dunedin main highway from Christchurch to Sockburn." Committee's Conclusions The conclusions and recommendations of the sub-committee are summarised as follows: — (1) That the night accident hazard is five times as great as during daylight, and that the obvious reason for this is the lack of adequate "seeing ability." (2) That the only satisfactory means of providing adequate visibility and reducing the heavy night accident rate on highways is by a properly designed system of artificial illumination. (3) That highways where traffic exceeds 2500 motor-vehicles in 24 hours should be illuminated at night.

(4) That wherever possible otherj highways carrying a very large volume j of traffic, or where the night accident rjite is heavy, should be similarly illuminated. Type of Lamp Proposed (5) That the most suitable type of lighting on highways outside of shopping areas appears to be the sodium type of electric gaseous discharge lamp. (6) That the minimum standard »of illumination required is such as would permit safety in driving at reasonable speed without using headlights. (7) That this standard may be achieved with a minimum of 100-watt sodium lamps spaced at 35 to 40 lamps a mile. (8) That the cost of installation of such lighting would be £6OO to £BOO a mile and the annual charges £2OO to £3OO a mile. (9) That lighting is unnecessary later than 12.30 a.m. (10 That the duty on gaseous discharge lamps and fittings for highway and street lighting should be removed. (11) The committee's recommendation would mean a capital expenditure of approximately £12,000 and an annual expenditure of £3200. (12) That cities and other municipalities bo urged to provide street lighting of a minimum standard equal to that proposed for highways, and that major traffic streets be considered first.