Pedestrian and bike path illumination for safety and security: empirical pre- and post-field studies by a university team

Abstract

A lighting design solution for a proposed, two mile long, pedestrian and bike path was developed. The path, with sections both near to and distant from the roadway, bordered a University campus in the southern US and served to link existing University buildings, a University/community arena and parking. In 2005, research team members examined existing lighting conditions. The team considered existing spill lighting from nearby buildings and roadways. Following industry procedures, they took sample light meter readings utilizing a hand-held lux meter. After a five year delay in Federal funding, construction on the illuminated pedestrian and bike path project commenced. The bike path project, including the installation of high pressure sodium illumination by acorn head pole fixtures, was accepted by Federal and University officials. Immediately after the path's completion in 2012, the researchers re-measured light levels at the site. They compared their pre-and post-installation measurements to the industry recommendations in effect during these two time periods. The researchers also used a digital sky quality meter to determine light pollution in the vicinity of the path. The path is currently in use by the University and community stakeholders.

Increasing the Livability of Open Public Spaces during Nighttime: The Importance of Lighting in Waterfront Areas

“…The overall uniformity of lighting is a critical parameter of lighting quality regarding the users' perception of a safe and secure space. Albeit the IESNA, CIE, and BS EN standards do not consider this parameter as significant for pedestrian areas in residential zones (Table 2), in all three areas, the ratio of the minimum and the average level of horizontal illuminance is very high, which creates unevenness and significant deviation from the 1:10 ratio recommended for the horizontal illuminance uniformity ratio [100]. Therefore, unlit dark areas of greenery and the appearance of shadows have an impact on the decrease of outdoor activities during nighttime.…”

Active Commuting and Healthy Behavior among Adolescents in Neighborhoods with Varying Socioeconomic Status: The NESLA Study

“…Illumination improves visibility of fellow path users, speed breakers, turns and crossings and helps reduce risks of accidents and injuries, hence ensuring personal safety. It also plays a greater role in ensuring the personal security of pedestrians and bikers [ 51 ]. This means that the sense of ensured safety by pedestrians and bikers would in turn become a major motivation for walking and biking to and from school.…”

Light as a Medium for Supporting Leisure Activities in Open Public Spaces

“…2. The average uniformity for a residential area is not defined; however, the proposed maximum to minimum overall uniformity is 10:1 and the average to minimum value is 4:1 [30].…”

“…Major discrepancies of the lighting level originate from the deficiency of the illumination border zones between the buildings and the forecourt. This appearance has created unevenness and significant deviation from the 1:10 ratio set by the recommendations for the residential zones [30].…”