Outdoor Lighting
The human eye views light differently at night than it does in the daylight. At the LRC, investigators look into how the eye perceives light differently and how to use the most effective lighting types for outdoor scenes.
Highlighted Projects
Metal Halide and High-Pressure Sodium Lighting for Outdoor Applications
Metal halide lighting are gaining in acceptance for many night time applications. Researchers at the LRC have investigated the "quality" issues associated with the two lighting system types. HPS and MH installations were compared in terms of perceptions of brightness and safety.
Read More.
LRC Develops Framework for Assessing Light PollutionAlthough lighting outdoor spaces at night has led to safer streets, too much nighttime illumination can cause problems for stargazing, animal health, and may even compromise sleep. Balancing public and private interests for nighttime lighting has been a difficult undertaking, as too little lighting may increase safety and security issues, while too much lighting may cause problems for the environment and for human well being. Scientists at the LRC have developed the first ever comprehensive method for predicting and measuring various aspects of light pollution.
Read More.
ASSIST recommends...for outdoor and parking lot lighting 
The Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST), through its ASSIST
recommends publications, has provided guidance about designing lighting schemes for outdoor spaces. These publications include:
- Volume 6, Issue1: Outdoor Lighting: A Short Guide to Applications, Objectives and Considerations
(PDF 221K) - Volume 6, Issue 2: Outdoor Lighting: Visual Efficacy (PDF 353K)
- Volume 7, Issue 3: Recommendations for Evaluating Parking Lot Luminaires (PDF 1394K)
- Volume 7: Companion: Parking Lot Luminaire Calculator
To access all ASSIST recommends publications and to learn more about the ASSIST program, click here.
The following lists include articles and presentations on related subjects.
Research: Mesopic Vision
- Field Test DELTA: LED Street Lighting
- Effects of Spectral Distribution on Visual Performance
- Mesopic Vision: Lighting for Safety and Security
- The Effect of Immediate Background Size on Target Detection
- Evaluating Light Source Efficacy Under Mesopic Conditions Using Reaction Times
- Guidelines for Efficient Street Lighting
- Mesopic Street Lighting Demonstration and Final Report, Groton
- A Demonstration of Fluorescent Outdoor Lighting, Austin
- Innovative, Energy-Efficient Lighting for New York State Roadways
Research: Light Pollution
- LESS: Luminaire Evaluation and Selection System
- Light Pollution: Thinking Inside the Box
- The Up and Down of Outdoor Lighting for the IESNA 2005 Annual Conference
- Outdoor Lighting Research Update for the SALC 2005 Meeting
- Whitepaper on Street Lighting and Light Pollution
- Street Lighting Design Checklist
- Street Lighting Design Guide
- Seminar Presentation on Street Lighting and Light Pollution
- Light Pollution Research and Education at the LRC
- Light Pollution Research at the LRC
- Managing Outdoor Lighting
-
An Evaluation of Three Types of Gas Station Canopy Lighting (presentation)
- Sparkle Elements for Outdoor Luminaires
- Light Pollution Index Paper
- An Evaluation of Three Types of Gas Station Canopy Lighting
Research: Security Lighting
- Be Prepared with Lighting: An Online Reading Room
- Lighting: The Missing Piece in the Campus Security Jigsaw
- Security Lighting: What We KNow and What We Don't
- Understanding Parking Lot Fixtures
- Security with a Light Touch
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