Parking Lot Lighting - Learning Objectives
Cooler parking lot lighting increases perception of safety."Brightness Perception, CCT, and Safety Additional studies have demonstrated that perceptions of safety are correlated with perceptions of how bright the overall lighted scene appeared. Perception of scene brightness is influenced by short-wavelength (blueish-white) light; light sources with a higher correlated color temperature (CCT) will tend to have greater short-wavelength output. Spectral sensitivity for scene brightness has been successfully modeled in the laboratory (Rea et al. 2011), and validated in the field (Rea et al. 2017). Parking lots illuminated with higher CCT sources are judged to be brighter and safer than those with lower CCT sources."
https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/energy/pdf/ParkingLotLightingGuide.pdf In residential neighborhoods, IES and IDA recommend warmer wavelengths providing better circadian balance for neighbors and wildlife.April 16, 2020 IDA and IES announce strategic collaboration to advance quality lighting to reduce light pollution. “By following these simple principles, electric lighting at night can be beautiful, healthy, and functional. These principles work together to reduce light pollution, save energy and money, and minimize wildlife disruption,” said Ruskin Hartley, Executive Director of IDA.
“Following these Principles is not difficult and results in more effective and comfortable lighting installations.”said Brian Liebel, Director of Standards and Research for the IES. [1] This link is to a PDF on how to light your residence with Dark Sky best practice: https://idsw.darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Dark-Sky-Friendly-Home-Lighting-program-guide_Print.pdf
When we use carefully aimed, dimmer lights - instead of excessively bright, glaring ones - we can see better, maybe even see the stars. Balance and restraint is the key to most things in life, and restraint also applies to lighting, especially in our night sky.
Visit my Dark Sky page at TOlighting.com How could the sky at night be anything other than dark? It seems like an easy question, until you look up and try to see the Milky Way in or near a large city.
If you want to see stars, you need a dark scene free from overhead lights and free from light pollution. Light Pollution is the name for any light that is unwanted or uncontrolled showering wasted light into the sky. Reflected light from pavement and buildings is also contributing to light pollution. Direct Glare from unshielded light sources reduces visibility in addition to requiring your eyes to adapt between bright and dark scenes, especially difficult for seniors and those with visual impairments. As we age the time it takes for our eyes to adapt from bright to dark, or dark to light, increases.; therefore, illumination without direct glare from seeing the light source is preferred. |
Dark Sky Lighting Fixtures
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