sorting 3984
In theory only, at least around here. Back before the provincial government abolished testing stations (ostensibly for cost-saving reasons), every car in B.C. had to be tested yearly for things like brakes...
The author of the submission to the DoT is Daniel Stern. His web information on the technicalities of lighting.
The importance of glare is substantial to the basis of all lighting design.
There isn't much of a risk - by then he's close enough that his momentum will carry him past before he has a chance to make any significant course change. He might wind up running into...
If for instance I wanted to hide a battle tank in the desert, It turns out that it's best to fit it with some really bright lights. The "glare hole" that is created by the tank not reflecting sunlight as well as the sand can then be filled by turning on the lights.
So much for added conspicuity!
From an Engineering (capital E) perspective, conspicuity lighting is only useful when it increases conspicuity. It should however not impair the ability of all traffic participants to appreciate (i.e. see, observe, recognize and make decisions think about) the entire traffic environment, including those things that don't have conspicuity lighting.
Minimum glare for a particular amount of light is provided by a large area which is uniformly illuminated. Making the whole vehicle surface "glow" with a total illumination the equivalent of a 20W bulb would be an interesting thing. LED paint anyone?
Probably less annoying than having a focused bright light (i.e. high beam) pointing in your face.
As an Engineer, the first question one has to ask is why things need to be illuminated to be seen during the day.
A bureaucrat simply wants "an answer" without actually knowing the question. The "answer" fulfills only one role; their ability to apply the answer and to divest themselves of responsibility. -- "Bernd Felsche - Innovative Reckoning, Perth, Western Australia ASCII ribbon campaign "Laws do not persuade just because X against HTML mail they threaten." and postings Lucius Annaeus Seneca, c. 4BC - 65AD.
Alt Folklore Computers from Newsgroups