One of the questions confronting both the policy makers and scientific researchers concerns the most suitable lighting for vehicles on roads with (fixed) lighting systems. Especially when the lights at the front of the car are involved, this question proves to have many facets. The considerations given in the report indicate that when road lighting is present, low-beam headlights can make only a small, and mostly negligible contribution to illumination and thus to the visibility of objects. This means that low-beam headlights are not adequate as a "means of illumination", and are in fact not very suitable for use inside built-up areas. An improved side light or "city-beam" can be regarded as the most suitable (and perhaps as the only realistic) solution to the question of what type of lighting should be considered optimum for the front of cars on lit roads. It should be kept in mind that introducing the "city-beam" will take time. The general use of low-beam headlights during the transition time is considered as the most appropriate compromise.
Abstract