Arc vs. Tungsten Street-Lighting in Small Towns

From the above discussion, it will be noted that local conditions practically determine the unit to be used. No one unit can be adopted as being the best for all installations. Assuming that all small towns have a certain amount of first, second and third class lighting, it will be necessary to use both arc and tungsten units. If the number of arcs is large enough to admit of installing one complete circuit, use can be made of either the metallic flame or flame-carbon lamps. If, however, only a small number of arcs are required, it may be advisable to use the alternating current flame-carbon arcs and operate them in series with the tungsten lamps in the residence sections. For the second and third-class lighting, the tungsten lamp is better adapted. It is possible to operate them in series, using small units between intersecting streets and larger tungsten or perhaps arc lamps at street intersections. In any case it is advisable to raise the lamps at street intersections, in order to indicate to the driver of a fast moving vehicle that he is approaching a cross street. Long lines of lamps on the same level, particularly if they are low, tend to confuse one in rapid motion and it is difficult to see a cross street and to observe vehicles emerging from same. Perhaps the most fertile field for immediate development is in a rearrangement of the present lighting system.