Citation

Land EH. Highw. Res. Board bull. 1948; 11: 1-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1948, National Research Council (U.S.A.), Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The technical evolution of a polarized headlight system consisting of polarizing filters on two 125 watt headlamps and a viewer-filter before the driver's eyes has been completed. The polarizing direction of the viewer is parallel to his own headlights and crosses automatically with that of oncoming cars, thereby reducing the brightness of approaching headlights on the average to one-seventh of the down beam of the current sealed beam headlamps. The higher wattage overcomes the light loss at the polarizing filters sufficiently to make open road visibility of critical hazards seen through the viewer at least as good as present open road seeing with the upper beam. This system has been referred by the automobile manufacturers association to the american association of motor vehicle administrators for consideration. The limitations of beam control in dealing with the glare problem and the particular properties of polarizing light are cited. The period of transition to the polarized system need introduce no new hazards not found in the current transition from the pre-sealed beam to sealed beam lamps. Research data from general electric company is presented which indicates that even misuse of the new headlamps would be no more hazardous than misuse of sealed beams now. The cost of such a system would not be out of line with the benefits obtained. The importance of public education and support of glare elimination by consumer organizations is stressed. The technical acceptability of the system has been established. The only problematical areas remaining are related to methods and results of introduction.