Lighting Can Make a Positive Impact
So often people in cities put up flood lights for security but all they do is blind people and discourage them from being outside, not a good thing at all for a lively city.
Selectively lighting areas you can create an entirely different mood. How would the above appear if lit by flood lighting?
Outdoor public space need not be as bright as a Tuesday afternoon in July to be safe. Subtle lighting attracts people, thereby increasing safety.
– Steve Patterson
I noticed the city (or perhaps MODOT) has replaced the antiquated yellow-brown-red street lights on Chippewa with new LED units.  The lights are much less bright and also focused to light only the road.  Very nice, can’t wait to see them installed on my block.
I noticed the city (or perhaps MODOT) has replaced the antiquated yellow-brown-red street lights on Chippewa with new LED units. The lights are much less bright and also focused to light only the road. Very nice, can’t wait to see them installed on my block.
The city has installed two kinds along Chippewa, to test them, before going citywide. I’m guessing that you won’t be seeing them on your block unless an individual luminaire fails – there a random installation in my ‘hood like that.
I am always disappointed by St. Louis’ skyline due to every single building’s utter lack of creative (or any) lighting at night.
I am always disappointed by St. Louis’ skyline due to every single building’s utter lack of creative (or any) lighting at night.
The city has installed two kinds along Chippewa, to test them, before going citywide. I’m guessing that you won’t be seeing them on your block unless an individual luminaire fails – there a random installation in my ‘hood like that.
A related concern is light pollution. There’s a general perception that more lighting = more safety, especially in a city with high crime rates. In many parts of the city, it appears that our street lights are located where they needed to be for 60 watt incandescent lamps, not HPS or LED. The city could save some serious money by eliminating every other one of them, with no change in crime stats, but none of our aldermen seem willing to even suggest the idea.
The Dark Skies movement, http://www.darksky.org/, attempts to counteract that through education, and some cities and states have become more aggressive in regulating both overall light levels and light trespass, the light that extends beyond the property line. (Some of the worst offenders [“glare bombs”] are gas station canopies and ATM’s.) I’m not aware of any local or state regulations here, but they may need to be added and/or enforced.
A related concern is light pollution. There’s a general perception that more lighting = more safety, especially in a city with high crime rates. In many parts of the city, it appears that our street lights are located where they needed to be for 60 watt incandescent lamps, not HPS or LED. The city could save some serious money by eliminating every other one of them, with no change in crime stats, but none of our aldermen seem willing to even suggest the idea.
The Dark Skies movement, http://www.darksky.org/, attempts to counteract that through education, and some cities and states have become more aggressive in regulating both overall light levels and light trespass, the light that extends beyond the property line. (Some of the worst offenders [“glare bombs”] are gas station canopies and ATM’s.) I’m not aware of any local or state regulations here, but they may need to be added and/or enforced.
The new parking garage next to the Justice Center, across from City Hall, is illuminated with subtle, colored lighting. That, along with the unusual but tasteful aluminum panels used to conceal the cars, adds a nice touch to the corner of Tucker and Clarke.
The new parking garage next to the Justice Center, across from City Hall, is illuminated with subtle, colored lighting. That, along with the unusual but tasteful aluminum panels used to conceal the cars, adds a nice touch to the corner of Tucker and Clarke.
@ JZ71 I believe there is an ordinance regarding “light trespass” in St Louis County. I’m aware of an instance where a greenhouse brought suit against a new C-store as their lights at night would adversly affect plants growth cycle. The settlement resulted in redesigning light fixtures and/or placement to eliminate “light trespass”.
@ JZ71 I believe there is an ordinance regarding “light trespass” in St Louis County. I’m aware of an instance where a greenhouse brought suit against a new C-store as their lights at night would adversly affect plants growth cycle. The settlement resulted in redesigning light fixtures and/or placement to eliminate “light trespass”.