SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— G. 385 



Afternoon. 

 Discussion on Traffic safety. 



Mr. E. H. Fryer. — The application of science to the solution of road 

 users' dangers and difficulties (2.30). 



The paper deals with the reduction of road accidents under four headings : 

 (a) the road ; (b) the vehicle ; (c) the user ; and (d) the controller. 



(a) The author forecasts the characteristics of a road system capable of 

 accommodating future traffic requirements, and visualises national ' through ' 

 routes with at least two carriageways, cycle tracks, footpaths and horse rides 

 of a net width for the whole of these facilities of 260 ft., with adequate 

 super-elevation at acute bends, uniform non-skid surfaces and no interruption 

 at crossroads. 



Suggestions for improving the design of private motor vehicles are con- 

 tained under classification (b) — e.g. the elimination of draughts and the 

 control of temperature inside the car, the maintenance of a low centre of 

 gravity without detriment to visibility and headroom or any restriction on 

 the carrying capacity. 



(c) The author refers to the need for engendering among road users a 

 spirit of consideration, good manners and goodwill. 



(d) The fact is emphasised that the mere making of laws and regulations 

 is unlikely to achieve any considerable reduction in accidents unless legisla- 

 tion is so simple and clear that its common sense commands the backing of 

 public opinion. 



Tuesday, September 15. 



Dr. W. S. Stiles. — Headlight glare and illumination in fog (10. o). 



The problem of eliminating dazzle from motor-car headlights is formu- 

 lated on scientific lines and the main methods which have been proposed for 

 the elimination or reduction of dazzle are examined and their merits dis- 

 cussed. Attention is drawn to the possibilities of the polarised light system. 



Various suggestions for improving visibility in headlight beams during 

 fog are discussed. It is pointed out that tests on the use of coloured light 

 have failed to reveal any advantage, and that such progress as can be made 

 will probably result from the study of various light distributions in the beam. 



Mr. R. G. Batson. — The effect of the road surface and its maintenance on 

 road safety (11.0). 



The paper deals with the requirements of road surfaces as regards 

 rugosity (or roughness), cleanliness, conspicuity, continuity, and surface 

 irregularities. 



It emphasises the need for information as to the coefficient of friction on 

 ' wet ' road surfaces over a range of speeds, including values at much higher 

 speeds than those hitherto employed, and shows that the ' slipperiness ' of 

 a road cannot be judged by a single test at a speed of, say, 30 m.p.h. 



Stopping distances of vehicles are shown to depend upon the charac- 

 teristics of the coefficient-speed curve for the road surface. 



Road surfaces are only slippery when wet, thus it is considered that the 

 lubricating action of the liquid on the road is of primary importance. 

 Research on this aspect of the road problem has been started and some of 

 the preliminary results obtained are described. 



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