LRC Issues New Guide for Lighting Parking Lots

LDS LRC logo 400

May 5, 2020

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has published a new guide for parking lot lighting, which demonstrates how to promote safety while reducing power demand by lighting the parking lot area more uniformly.

“Exterior lighting in parking lots should support the visibility of hazards—and reinforce perceptions of safety so that people are not afraid to use the space at night,” said Jennifer Brons, Director of Design Demonstrations, who was one of the guide’s authors.

The guide provides a summary of research results on this topic, along with four steps that lighting designers and specifiers can follow in order to compare performance of alternatives to a base case parking lot lighting design.

Average light levels are important contributors to perceptions of safety in parking lots. But to minimize power demand, lighting designers and specifiers should strive to maximize uniformity. While sources with higher correlated color temperature (CCT) will be perceived as brighter than low CCT sources, this is limited in importance compared to uniformity. With better uniformity, much lower average illuminances can be provided while improving both perceived safety and brightness. The guide also provides a link to a calculation tool that specifiers can use to estimate occupants’ ratings of perceived safety.

“By using perceived safety as a performance criterion, alternate lighting designs can be evaluated to minimize power demand while balancing other design criteria,” said John Bullough, Director of Transportation and Safety Lighting Programs. “Taking advantage of uniformity has implications not only for energy savings but also for minimizing light pollution.”

Support for this research was provided by Natural Resources Canada and other members of the Lighting Energy Alliance, including Efficiency Vermont, Energize Connecticut, National Grid, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and ComEd.

Go HERE for the full guide

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Navigating Tariff Uncertainty as an Electrical Contractor

    April 15, 2025 By Matthew Biswas These three words put me into a catatonic shock – Supply Chain Disruption. It seems like just yesterday I was standing at a counter asking for products I’d bought 100’s of times before and being told they are on backorder with no expected delivery date. Circuit breakers, dimmers, panels,… Read More…

  • Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    April 14, 2025 Today’s workplaces are expanding beyond the four walls of an office. As technology continues to evolve, employees are looking for new and alternative workspaces to inspire creativity and increase productivity. This includes taking their work to outdoor spaces. Bringing technology to outdoor spaces has become a challenge for facility managers and property… Read More…

  • CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    April 13, 2025 CAF-FCA have provided an outline of actionable recommendations—developed through national consultation—to enhance accessibility, reduce financial barriers, and better align apprenticeship training with industry needs. Source Read More…

  • New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    April 13, 2025 Alberta is facing more severe weather events, with rising temperatures, wildfires, and more frequent extreme storms threatening homes and businesses. Our report, Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather−written in partnership with the Alberta Ecotrust Retrofit Accelerator program−highlights the need for deep retrofits to ensure the province’s buildings can withstand these changing conditions. Four… Read More…


Changing Scene