Public Lighting for Safe and Attractive Pedestrian Areas
Source: NZ Transport Agency
This report adds to the understanding of public lighting for safe and attractive pedestrian areas. It aims to direct perspectives from which to review pedestrian lighting schemes by informing on recommended practices for the safe and attractive lighting of pedestrian areas. It is based on literature review findings incorporated with information from the lighting industry.
During daytime, natural light facilitates a safe, comfortable, efficient and enjoyable walking experience. During darkness, artificial lighting techniques should light the environment for the particular needs and preferences of pedestrians to maintain that standard of walking experience. Effective pedestrian lighting optimises the amount of useable visibility that is provided.
Useable visibility relates to the pedestrian behaviours that are intended and desired for an area or route - it is the nature of those pedestrian activities and locations that should drive determination of the appropriate size, location and intensity of pedestrian lighting. Pedestrian lighting can be designed to effectively match and facilitate those needs if there is understanding of both how human vision works, andhow light can be controlled.
