Light Pollution Measurements,

Modeling and Design

University of Ottawa
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

David Carey || 7195956

Shail Joshi || 7282674

Outline

Introduction
Measurements
Modeling
Design
Closing Statements
References

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Introduction

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What is Light Pollution?

Brightening of the night sky due to excessive
artificial lighting
Excessive pollution has astronomical and
ecological implications

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/nlpip/lightinganswers/lightpollution/lightPollution.asp
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Types of Light Pollution

Scientists have identified four types of light
pollution
1. Sky Glow
2. Glare
3. Light Trespass
4. Energy Waste

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Primary Sources

Advertising billboards
Streetlights
Floodlights from sporting grounds
Airports and industrial areas

Hadfield, Chris. Sarnia At Night From Space. 2013. Print.

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Astronomical Implications

http://darksky.org/light-pollution/
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Ecological Implications
Excessive brightness
wreaks havoc on plant
and animal life
Affects migration
patterns of fish, birds
and sea turtles

http://devotedtotheocean.com/blogs/news/175376519-light-pollution
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Energy Waste
An estimated 22000 gigawatt-hours per year, in
the US.
Amounts to $2.2 billion USD wasted annually
Estimated 30% of light is wasted due to poor
directionality
Annual total energy waste due to unused light
pollution is equivalent to that produced by 5
nuclear reactors
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Measurements

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Instrumentation

Satellites
Observatories
Spectrometers
Photometers
Empirically using charts and Bortle Scale
Sky Quality Meter

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https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/suomi-npp-part-1

Satellite Measurements
A composite image of the Earth at night made using data from the Visible
Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard the Suomi
NPP spacecraft. NASA photo.
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City Lights and Urban Vegetation

Study conducted in Paldova Italy
Spectra 350 to 800 nm of most common street
lamps analyzed
These spectra then compared to the
absorption of main plant pigments such as
chlorophyll and phytochrome.
The following slide summarizes the observed
spectra
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Fig

Spectra

Solar

Incandescent

Iodine Quartz

High P Na

Low P Na

Hg Vapor

Cinzano, Pierantonio. Measuring and Modelling Light Pollution. Firenze, Italy: Societa Astronomica Italiana, 2000. Web.
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New Developments
Smartphones
Dark Sky Meter app uses iPhone's
camera sensitivity to make rough
measurements
Sky Quality Meter
Relatively inexpensive apparatus
Measures the brightness of the night
sky in magnitudes per square arc
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/dark-sky-meter/id602989060?mt=8
second.
http://www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/
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Modeling

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Models
Very few models in use
Mainly empirical systems, come from
observation techniques and assumptions
Models are generally based on the intensity of
light coming from areas of interest

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Models
Walker Model: Compares the distance from
cities and population to the intensity of light
Treanor: Adds additional factors accounting for
development as well as scattering
Other models include: Berry; Thomas, Modali,
and Roosen; Yocke, Hogo, and Henderson;
and Garstang
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Solutions
Though light pollution is widespread and
common, it can be easily minimized, through
measurement, control, and action

Fig1.1 Wall Light and Advertising

Fig1.2 Street Lighting

http://www.businessinsider.com/light-pollution-graphic-2012-7
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Designs
New designs for light fixtures are being made
Increase directionality and reduce glare and
waste
Design is being improved with LED bulbs, low
pressure sodium lamps, and CFCs
Cutoff designs are improving directionality and
effectiveness
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Cut Off Lighting

Cut off Lighting directs luminous brightness
downward, improving visibility
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
(IESNA)provides four Cut Off Classifications:
1. Non Cut Off
2. Semi Cut Off
3. Cut Off
4. Full Cut Off
http://www.delmarfans.com/educate/basics/lighting-pollution/
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Low Glare Lighting

Plenty of low glare lighting fixtures in the
market.
Increase directionality and reduce glare and
waste.

http://www.archlighting.com/projects/controlling-glare_o
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LED and LPS Lamps

Low Pressure Sodium Lamps (LPS)

http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Documents/SO%20Introduction.htm

Light Emitting Diode(LED)

https://www.electronics-cooling.com/2006/11/thermal-challenges-in-led-cooling/
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LED Lamps
Advantages

Very high efficiency

Long life span
Immediate on and off
Reduced roadway glare
Constant light output
through temp change
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Disadvantages
Higher initial capital costs
Higher price per lumen
Many people dislike the
ambience
Glare can be very bad
depending on directionality
Can impact bird migration by
increase in blue and green
light
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Low Pressure Sodium Lamps (LPS)

Advantages

Disadvantages

Low operating costs

Low Initial capital cost
Most suitable light source
for roadways based on
spectrum
Very low glare

No color rendering due to

monochromatic light
Shorter lifetime than other
discharge lamps
Need to replaced every
two years
High maintenance costs

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Light Pollution Legislation

Some cities and countries have begun to
legislate the amount of light emitted
In Canada, cities such as Vancouver, Calgary,
and Toronto have passed motions to limit light
pollution

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Closing statements
Light pollution will always be a problem in the
developed world
With legislation, system changes, and
awareness, it can be improved
Multiple levels of people must work together to
fix the problems in our world

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Conclusion
LED and low pressure sodium lighting are the
most efficient lighting solutions available
LED make very good in-house light bulbs, but
many people find them disagreeable for
outdoor lighting
LPS make very good streetlights and are being
used around the world for this purpose, leading
to better satisfaction from citizens
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References

Benya, J. (2016). Controlling Glare. Architectural Lighting. Retrieved 22 November 2016, from
http://www.archlighting.com/projects/controlling-glare_o
Bermudez, M. (2016). What Is Light Pollution? How Outdoor Lighting Effects the Night Sky |
DelMarFans.com. Delmarfans.com.
Retrieved
22
November
2016,
from
http://www.delmarfans.com/educate/basics/lighting-pollution/
Cinzano, Pierantonio. Measuring and Modelling Light Pollution. Firenze, Italy: Societa Astronomica Italiana,
2000. Web
Falchi, F., Cinzano, P., Elvidge, C., Keith, D., & Haim, A. (2011). Limiting the impact of light pollution on
human health, environment and stellar visibility. Journal Of Environmental Management, 92(10), 27142722. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.06.029
Garstang, R.H. (1991) Light Pollution Modeling, International Astronomical Union Colloquium, 112, pp.
5669. doi: 10.1017/S0252921100003705.
Light Pollution. (2016). International Dark-Sky Association. Retrieved 22 November 2016, from
http://darksky.org/light-pollution/
Lutz, A. (2016). INFOGRAPHIC: Man-Made Lights Are Destroying The Earth. Business Insider. Retrieved
22 November 2016, from http://www.businessinsider.com/light-pollution-graphic-2012-7
The Low Pressure Sodium Lamp. (2016). Lamptech.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2016, from
http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Documents/SO%20Introduction.htm
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