It's time to do outdoor lighting right
To reduce light pollution, save energy, protect the environment and bring back views of the night sky, we only need do one thing: rethink how we light our world at night.
The secret to doing outdoor lighting right is simply to be consciously aware of it and to not leave it as an afterthought of site/landscape/building design. Good outdoor lighting is mindful of placement, quantity, timing and spectrum. It puts light where and when it's needed, in the right amount, and with the right color and otherwise dims or extinguishes light when it isn't needed.
The best designs are those that focus on the user experience, helping them safely navigate outdoor spaces at night, transitioning them from bright indoor spaces to an expectation of lower outdoor lighting levels, and leveraging what we know about the human visual system to ensure it operates most effectively without disadvantaging the user.
Sometimes the right decision is not to light at all. Non-lighting approaches can be equally effective. But first we have to get over the social presumption that brightly lit outdoor spaces at night are safer spaces.
Lowering dependence on high-intensity, all-night lighting reduces capital, operating and maintenance costs, improves nighttime safety and security, and puts the right amount of light only where and when it's needed. At the same time, we have to recognize the fear that many people feel outdoors at night and educate them about the goal: better lighting, not just more light, makes them actually more safe. The biggest obstacle is the public demand that outdoor lighting should turn night into day.
The secret to doing outdoor lighting right is simply to be consciously aware of it and to not leave it as an afterthought of site/landscape/building design. Good outdoor lighting is mindful of placement, quantity, timing and spectrum. It puts light where and when it's needed, in the right amount, and with the right color and otherwise dims or extinguishes light when it isn't needed.
The best designs are those that focus on the user experience, helping them safely navigate outdoor spaces at night, transitioning them from bright indoor spaces to an expectation of lower outdoor lighting levels, and leveraging what we know about the human visual system to ensure it operates most effectively without disadvantaging the user.
Sometimes the right decision is not to light at all. Non-lighting approaches can be equally effective. But first we have to get over the social presumption that brightly lit outdoor spaces at night are safer spaces.
Lowering dependence on high-intensity, all-night lighting reduces capital, operating and maintenance costs, improves nighttime safety and security, and puts the right amount of light only where and when it's needed. At the same time, we have to recognize the fear that many people feel outdoors at night and educate them about the goal: better lighting, not just more light, makes them actually more safe. The biggest obstacle is the public demand that outdoor lighting should turn night into day.
Some myths about dark-sky friendly lighting
In many cases, property owners and others who make choices about outdoor lighting think they have no other choice than to put up installations that blast light everywhere into the night in order to achieve high levels and uniformity of light. Here are some of the ideas they have about that, and why those ideas are actually wrong.
"Dark sky" means "dark ground". The idea that one must choose between dark skies and adequate site lighting is a false choice, because the two are not mutually exclusive. "Dark sky" isn't just about turning lights off as a solution to light pollution. Rather, the concept makes better use of lighting products and controls to put light where users of outdoor spaces at night need it while preventing light from being wasted, mainly by directing it into the night sky.
Proper outdoor lighting design compromises safety or security. Humans, by nature, are afraid of the dark. This fear doesn't just afflict children; rather, it's a very real experience for adults as well. Our instinct is to fight back against the darkness by making the night look more like day, with daytime light levels. We also tend to assume that crimes of opportunity are more likely to be carried out under the cover of darkness, but that's generally not true. In fact, there is some scientific evidence that very bright outdoor spaces may actually be worse for both public safety and personal and property security. Glare, reduced visual acuity, and confusion resulting from poorly designed outdoor lighting all undercut the reasons for providing lighting in the first place.
Dark-sky friendly lighting is a liability. This idea, too, depends on the assumption that "dark sky" means "dark ground", and that the only way to protect the night sky is to make the world dangerous for people using outdoor spaces at night.
but careless design, installation and operation of outdoor lighting could be. There are plenty of ways of keeping people on your property safe at night without lighting up the night sky in the process. And while "dark sky" lighting doesn't necessarily jeopardize public safety, the careless design, installation and operation of outdoor lighting can.
It costs more to go "dark sky". It's true that there was a time, years ago, when few dark-sky friendly lighting products existed on the global outdoor lighting market, and low demand for those products kept prices high. But that's true no longer. A growing market for dark-sky friendly lighting products, controls and accessories means that making better choices about outdoor lighting doesn't come at a higher price. These features are now regular features rather than costly add-ons.
"Dark sky" means "dark ground". The idea that one must choose between dark skies and adequate site lighting is a false choice, because the two are not mutually exclusive. "Dark sky" isn't just about turning lights off as a solution to light pollution. Rather, the concept makes better use of lighting products and controls to put light where users of outdoor spaces at night need it while preventing light from being wasted, mainly by directing it into the night sky.
Proper outdoor lighting design compromises safety or security. Humans, by nature, are afraid of the dark. This fear doesn't just afflict children; rather, it's a very real experience for adults as well. Our instinct is to fight back against the darkness by making the night look more like day, with daytime light levels. We also tend to assume that crimes of opportunity are more likely to be carried out under the cover of darkness, but that's generally not true. In fact, there is some scientific evidence that very bright outdoor spaces may actually be worse for both public safety and personal and property security. Glare, reduced visual acuity, and confusion resulting from poorly designed outdoor lighting all undercut the reasons for providing lighting in the first place.
Dark-sky friendly lighting is a liability. This idea, too, depends on the assumption that "dark sky" means "dark ground", and that the only way to protect the night sky is to make the world dangerous for people using outdoor spaces at night.
but careless design, installation and operation of outdoor lighting could be. There are plenty of ways of keeping people on your property safe at night without lighting up the night sky in the process. And while "dark sky" lighting doesn't necessarily jeopardize public safety, the careless design, installation and operation of outdoor lighting can.
It costs more to go "dark sky". It's true that there was a time, years ago, when few dark-sky friendly lighting products existed on the global outdoor lighting market, and low demand for those products kept prices high. But that's true no longer. A growing market for dark-sky friendly lighting products, controls and accessories means that making better choices about outdoor lighting doesn't come at a higher price. These features are now regular features rather than costly add-ons.
Saving the world, one light at a time
Doing outdoor lighting right comes down to keeping just a handful of ideas in mind. These ideas are brilliantly summarized in a series of five lighting principles jointly promoted by the Illuminating Engineering Society and DarkSky International. If all of the principles are taken into account when designing outdoor lighting installations, including lighting product selection, the result will maximize benefits to owners and users of the lighting while minimizing the impact that lighting has on the nighttime environment.
Practical considerations
Good outcomes for outdoor lighting projects that benefit users, lower costs for owners, and protect the night sky don't require some secret, insider knowledge. Much of what's involved appeals to common sense and requires only mindful consideration of a few simple principles.
Understand your users' needs. Consider factors like traffic volumes, wayfinding routes, and hazards like stairs and sudden drop-offs.
Consider the role of ambience and placemaking. Mindful placement of lighting for aesthetic effect can help users understand the context of outdoor spaces and promote a feeling of comfort with their surroundings. It can also provide contrast needed to identify obstacles and other people.
Learn a little about lighting technical concepts and human vision. By no means does this require one to become a lighting expert, but a little study to familiarize oneself with some simple ideas can pay significant dividends later. Understanding concepts like why we light outdoor spaces at night, how the human eye responds to varying light levels, and basic characteristics of lighting empowers decision makers to make better choices about lighting that save money and improve outcomes.
Take an additive approach. Begin with no light and add it as needed. Be concerned about the possibility of applying too much light as applying too little. Follow industry best practice to ensure that you offer users a reliably safe amount of light according to the use case.
Follow the law. Take care to ensure that your lighting installation follows all building and electrical codes, as well as applicable outdoor lighting policies.
Understand your users' needs. Consider factors like traffic volumes, wayfinding routes, and hazards like stairs and sudden drop-offs.
Consider the role of ambience and placemaking. Mindful placement of lighting for aesthetic effect can help users understand the context of outdoor spaces and promote a feeling of comfort with their surroundings. It can also provide contrast needed to identify obstacles and other people.
Learn a little about lighting technical concepts and human vision. By no means does this require one to become a lighting expert, but a little study to familiarize oneself with some simple ideas can pay significant dividends later. Understanding concepts like why we light outdoor spaces at night, how the human eye responds to varying light levels, and basic characteristics of lighting empowers decision makers to make better choices about lighting that save money and improve outcomes.
Take an additive approach. Begin with no light and add it as needed. Be concerned about the possibility of applying too much light as applying too little. Follow industry best practice to ensure that you offer users a reliably safe amount of light according to the use case.
Follow the law. Take care to ensure that your lighting installation follows all building and electrical codes, as well as applicable outdoor lighting policies.
We can help
We can advise your as you plan your outdoor lighting projects to take advantage of the latest technologies and design considerations, meeting all of your users' needs while protecting the night. Contact us today to start the process.
