Controlling large number of 24VDC lights / switches with Arduino

Other Hardware General Electronics
13

I like the concept of the TPIC595, but have a few questions:

  1. It looks like they can be used to drive the lights, but they are not able to read switch values?
    2 - Should I add any other components between the TPIC595 and the lamps?
    3 - There is a TPICB595 that seems like a good fit too. Any reason not to use it, as it seems to be more available.

Thanks for the great responses!