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THIS paper presents a discussion of tests and mathematical studies made during the past year in connection with the synchronization of brakes on truck-trailer combination units. These developments point to a clarification of the many misconceptions and exaggerated ideas which have been built up concerning timing, steering, and braking necessary to offset the dangerous jackknife type of skid, as well as the slide which frequently occurs on slippery pavements. The writer describes two types of jack-knife which may occur if the braking power on certain axles builds up more rapidly than on others. A third type of jackknife may result from steering as, for example, in a sudden turn to avoid an obstacle, even with no brakes applied. The writer points out that synchronized braking cannot offer anything spectacular in the way of shortening stopping distance unless build-up time is shortened considerably in the process.

THIS paper distinguishes between losses and accidents as the latter word is used commonly. The loss of an airplane by hangar fire, for example, usually is not considered an accident. Although such losses may not involve safety of life, they affect aviation economics and are therefore important to the aviation industry. Fire and windstorm loss prevention are discussed, and an analysis of light-airplane accidents by type of flying, by type of pilot, by cause, and by nature also is presented. The paper also stresses the importance of education in achieving greater safety. It brings out the need for more careful instruction of student pilots and especially the desirability of establishing an agency for the training and coaching of flying instructors. The need for an airplane that will not stall or spin also is brought out.

PROGRESS that has been made in the study of industrial accidents, covering factors that are involved in accident prevention in the operation of small cars and trucks and auxiliary equipment, is discussed in this paper. This paper also deals with the driver viewpoint, giving statistical data and methods for determining responsibility, driver qualifications, and the like. The problem also is approached from the viewpoint of safety as affected by vehicle design, operation (without respect to the driver), and maintenance. In collaboration with Mr. Orr, Mr. Newton discusses the problem from the points of view of traffic direction, educational campaigns, driving practices, and highway conditions. He touches on the right types of advertising propaganda and vehicle-design factors; he also gives interesting statistical data resulting from vehicular inspections in various states.

SOUND transportation and safety engineering are being successfully applied to accident control, Mr. Orr states, which involves human engineering to a greater degree than in any other phase of fleet management and operation. After stating accident facts and costs, Mr. Orr presents selected quotations from representative fleet operators and other authorities regarding operating practices, relations with the general public, accident control, future design of highways, driver evaluation, accident-proneness and the like, together with an illustrated description of a portable testing-laboratory for making tests of drivers. Accident trends in commercial fleets are analyzed, as well as accident aspects in various types of fleets. Other authorities are quoted on various matters relating to training, methods and practices.

The complementary-color headlighting system is based upon the use of differentiated light, that is, light having different wave-lengths. Each head-lamp is oval and contains two paraboloid reflectors, one emitting light through an orange glass filter, the other through one of blue glass. While driving at night, the driver looks through a viewing-filter of transparent glass of the same color as that of the headlight which is in use. The viewing-filters are arranged so that whenever one is used, the headlight of the same color is automatically turned on. When the headlights are not in use, the filters are held in the filter-box and are out of sight. It is the intention that cars traveling in a general direction, say north and east, shall use the blue light; that those traveling south and west shall use the orange light. Each viewing-filter is transparent to the light that is thrown on the road by the headlights of the same car but is opaque to the lights of approaching cars.

Evolving gradually since the time when opinion prevailed that accidents are unpreventable, modern safety methods have come into being and successfully organized effort concentrated on their application in industry has accomplished an amazingly effective system of accident prevention. In the automotive industry, effort focused on preventive measures looking toward the elimination or reduction of casualties and fatalities has resulted in greatly increased conservation of life and property; but, as new conditions and new demands continually appear, it is evident that new methods, new means and new modifications must be continually in process and that putting these forces into production requires concentrated scientific study, forethought and executive ability.

Solicitation of sales and the delivery of the product to the customer constitute the most important operative features of the motor-truck fleet supervised by the author. Endeavor is made to install the vehicles in the various fields along standardized lines. The volume and the extent of the business and the topographical conditions of each locality determine the size and the mechanical equipment of the vehicle that is employed, and it is installed only after a study of all the conditions pertaining to its operation. Adequate training of vehicle operators, not only along mechanical lines but also as direct sales representatives of the company, is made a feature; and so is accident prevention. These interests are promoted in various standard ways and are furthered by the publication of “house organs.” After a vehicle is installed the slogan adopted is: Keep It Moving With a Pay Load.

The efficiency of internal-combustion engines increases with the pressure of the charge at the time of ignition. Therefore, a compression at full load just below that of premature ignition is ordinarily maintained. But when such an engine is controlled by throttling, the efficiency drops as the compression is reduced, and as automobile engines use less than one-quarter of their available power the greater part of the time, the fuel consumption is necessarily high for the horsepower output. On account, also, of the rarefaction due to throttling, more power must be developed than is necessary to drive the car; automobile engines in which the fuel is introduced during the induction stroke, would be more efficient, therefore, if the maximum compression were constant during all ranges of load.

The author discusses commercial-airplane design in general terms, considering the subject under the main divisions of economy, safety, speed and comfort. Under economy, mention is made of possible reductions of first cost by designing for long life and reliability, the effect of the former on the depreciation allowance being obviously advantageous. Airplane size is debated also, the trend of progress being seemingly toward the giant airplane. Safety is stated to be dependent upon reliability, structural strength, stability, control, fire prevention and reduction of risk of injury to passengers in the event of a crash. Minimizing the results of a crash is considered suggestively. Speed is governed almost solely by the ratio of wing loading to power loading; hence, speed will always be kept as low as possible without loss of business to competing transportation enterprises. Included among desirable measures to secure comfort are adequate ventilation and the elimination of noise.

Motor vehicle standards in Japan was systematically established in 1951 for the first time. On the other hand, in Europe, the United States and Australia, etc., there are EEC directive, FMVSS and ADR, etc. However, it is desirable to harmonize these standards as harmonization of motor vehicle standards will contribute to the improvement of productivity for motor vehicle development and manufacture. As for the international harmonization, ECE WP29 has been playing a key role. Therefore, Japan has positively supported the standard harmonizing activities of ECE WP29. We must promote the international harmonization in co-operation with ECE WP29.