Does lighting affect pedestrian flows? A pilot study in Lund, Market Harborough and Dublin

A study records pedestrian footfalls in Lund, Dublin and Market Harborough during the day and after dark, either side of the Autumn 2016 clock change, using the change of end of civil twilight time to measure the effect of different lighting levels at the same clock time on footfall rates. Examination of total footfalls on weekdays and at weekends found significant decreases in counts after the clock change, on 5/6 sites on weekdays and half the sites at weekends. Further analysis found that the percentage decrease in the counts in the test period (same time/day of the week, light one week, dark the next) was more than in the control period (same time/day of the week, light both weeks), in 79% of counting sessions. The findings demonstrate higher reduction in footfalls on weekdays in mixed use areas, such as the sites selected in Dublin, and on Sundays in non-central locations

Residents' perceptions following retrofitting of residential area outdoor lighting with LEDs

The use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in outdoor lighting has energy-saving potential, but users' responses to this light source are largely unknown. An intervention study in two residential areas compared conventional lighting installations (high pressure sodium in Area 1 and high pressure mercury in Area 2) to a retrofitted LED-alternative regarding residents' perceptions of quality of light, visual accessibility and danger. Moreover, energy use was calculated. Residents' (N=60) visual accessibility improved and perceived danger remained low in both areas after retrofitting. In Area 2 the perceived quality of light increased, whereas in Area 1 the results were mixed. The retrofitted application reduced energy use by 41-76% and might be a feasible alternative to conventional outdoor lighting in relatively safe areas