Street lighting

After nearly six years of blackout conditions, street lighting in this country is to be recommissioned on pre-war standards. This will initiate a period of development of new or improved lighting in which the electrical industry will play a leading part. The paper has been written to promote a discussion of the various factors to be considered in connection with street lighting. A brief introduction and a reference to the need for adequate street lighting are followed by a consideration of the illumination requirements. Agreement throughout the electrical industry is desirable on the theoretical considerations governing good visibility; the provision of adequate ¿background brightness¿ should be a basic aim. Street-lighting appliances, lanterns, sources and control gear are discussed. The legal position of lighting authorities in relation to street lighting is briefly reviewed. Annual running costs are analysed and are applied to an example of lighting a through-traffic route to show the great difficulties which will have to be surmounted before adequate street lighting can be extended over the whole country.