How to measure light pollution—A systematic review of methods and applications

Mander, Susan; Alam, Fakhrul; Lovreglio, Ruggiero; Ooi, Melanie Po-Leen

doi:10.1016/j.scs.2023.104465

Cited by 42 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 173 publications

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“…Yang, et al 29 found sustainable ways to mitigate urban heat. Similar results were also widely confirmed [30][31][32] . Also, it was found that people responded differently towards various environment qualities 33 .…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 84%

The effects of acoustic-light-thermal environment quality parameters on pedestrians’ overall comforts in residential districts

Zeng,

Liang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This study explored subjective responses towards various environmental quality parameters. In order to investigate the combined effects of sound, light, and heat on the overall comfort (evaluated by overall comfort vote, OCV) of pedestrians, two residential areas in Yubei District, Chongqing (a Cfa city in China) were selected for field measurements combining questionnaires. Three main conclusions were drawn. Firstly, the average outdoor neutral temperature (NT), LAeq, and LUX were 26.6 °C (indicated by physiologically equivalent temperature, PET), 56.5 dBA, 21.4103 lx, respectively. Secondly, since the effects of both physiology and psychology, thermal perceptions varied for acoustic and light environments. This could be explained by the different NTs in various sound pressure or light levels. Thirdly, environmental quality factors had significant effects on overall comfort. Significant positive correlation between heat stress (PET) and OCV was found (sig＜0.000); while the effects of sound pressure and light intensity were not always significant. Hence, thermal stress played a significant role in people’s overall comfort. Findings of this study were directive for future environment design for creating more physiologically comfortable spaces.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 84%

The effects of acoustic-light-thermal environment quality parameters on pedestrians’ overall comforts in residential districts

Zeng,

Liang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Following the classification proposed by Mander et al (2023), the SQC can be categorized as a ground-based all-sky imaging sensor. Specifically, the SQCs in our hands are DSLR Canon EOS 6D Mark II cameras, equipped with a 35.8 × 23.9 mm CMOS sensor of 20.2 (effective) megapixels and coupled with a Sigma EX DG 8 mm f/3.5 fish-eye lens.…”

Section: Instrumental Suitementioning

confidence: 99%

Toward a Spectrophotometric Characterization of the Chilean Night Sky. A First Quantitative Assessment of ALAN across the Coquimbo Region

Angeloni,

Uchima-Tamayo,

Arancibia

et al. 2024

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Light pollution is recognized as a global issue that, like other forms of anthropogenic pollution, has a significant impact on ecosystems and adverse effects on living organisms. Plentiful evidence suggests that it has been increasing at an unprecedented rate at all spatial scales. Chile—which, thanks to its unique environmental conditions, has become one of the most prominent astronomical hubs of the world—seems to be no exception. In this paper we present the results of the first observing campaign aimed at quantifying the effects of artificial lights at night on the brightness and colors of the Chilean sky. Through the analysis of photometrically calibrated all-sky images captured at four representative sites with an increasing degree of anthropization, and the comparison with state-of-the-art numerical models, we show that significant levels of light pollution have already altered the appearance of the natural sky even in remote areas. Our observations reveal that the light pollution level recorded in a small town of the Coquimbo Region is comparable with that of Flagstaff, Arizona, a ten times larger Dark Sky city, and that a mid-size urban area that is a gateway to the Atacama Desert displays photometric indicators of night sky quality that are typical of the most densely populated regions of Europe. Our results suggest that there is still much to be done in Chile to keep light pollution under control and thus preserve the darkness of its night sky—a natural and cultural heritage that it is our responsibility to protect.

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“…Because AC lighting flicker cannot generally be seen by the human visual system, it is often ignored in studies conducted on lighting impacts on organisms. Two recent papers describing methods for the measurement of light pollution point to a schism between method including flicker measurements [22] and methods focused exclusively on wavelength and brightness [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Hidden World of Lighting Flicker with a High-Speed Camera

Elvidge,

Zhizhin,

Pipkin

et al. 2024

Atmosphere

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Alternating current can result in flickering—or pulsing—in the brightness of light emitted by luminaires. Lighting flicker typically occurs in the range of 100 to 140 cycles per second (Hz), which is too fast for visual perception by most organisms. However, evidence indicates that many organisms perceive flicker with non-visual photoreceptors present on the retinas. Exposure to flickering lights at night disrupts the circadian rhythm of organisms, leading to symptoms similar to blue light exposure at night. The traditional method for detecting flickering is with a flickermeter held near a single light. In this paper, we explore the use of high-speed camera data in the collection of temporal profiles for groups of luminaires simultaneously at distances ranging from several meters to several kilometers. Temporal profiles are extracted for individual lighting features and the full scene. The identification of luminaire types is based on their spectral signatures. With the camera data, it is possible to identify flickering and non-flickering lights, to determine the flicker frequency, to calculate percent flicker and the flicker index, and to identify groups of lights whose flickers are synchronized. Both flickering and non-flickering luminaires can be found for LED, metal halide, fluorescent, and compact fluorescent lights. To date, flickering has been detected in all of the incandescent, high-pressure sodium, and low-pressure sodium luminaires that we measured. We found that flicker synchronization is often present for lights installed within a single facility and also for strings of streetlights. We also found that flicker exposure can come from the light reflected off of the earth’s surface. Luminaires designed to illuminate large areas often saturate high-speed camera data collection. This saturation can be reduced or eliminated using neutral density filters on the camera. Published experimental data on the impacts of flicker on organisms remains sparse. Many studies have drawn inferences on the impacts of spectral and lighting brightness on organisms without controlling for flicker. Our conclusion is that lighting flicker is a type of light pollution. The use of high-speed camera data makes it easier to include flicker as a variable in studies regarding the impacts of lighting on organisms.

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How to measure light pollution—A systematic review of methods and applications

Cited by 42 publications

References 173 publications

The effects of acoustic-light-thermal environment quality parameters on pedestrians’ overall comforts in residential districts

The effects of acoustic-light-thermal environment quality parameters on pedestrians’ overall comforts in residential districts

Toward a Spectrophotometric Characterization of the Chilean Night Sky. A First Quantitative Assessment of ALAN across the Coquimbo Region

Exploring the Hidden World of Lighting Flicker with a High-Speed Camera

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