In 2005, DMD and Associates Ltd co-authored an Athletic Field Lighting Technical Report for the Fairfax County Park Authority. The 2005 report focused on sports lighting standards and a review of various supplier’s products. The report also discussed fundamental concepts and industry standards, reviewed Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance, and included analysis of various products and recommendations.

A major issue with sports lighting installations is the bright light sources set against a dark sky can be a source of complaint and issue by local residents even when the lights viewed miles away from the playing fields. The White Paper, commissioned in Dec 2006 by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), was a follow-up to the original report to deal more specifically with this issue. This white paper focuses in more detail the off-site obtrusive light issues relating to glare (intensity) emitted from the sports lighting fixtures. The primary scope of this assignment was how to define glare which is a complex phenomenon, and is subject to ongoing debate within the lighting world. Although the term “glare” has been used in the 2005 Athletic Field Lighting Technical Report, we used the term “source intensity” which better represents the methods of analysis noted in both that 2005 report and in this White Paper. Source intensity is a much simpler concept to comprehend than glare and is well explained in the White Paper. The White Paper defines methods to review, assess and measure source intensity from local residences off-site. The White Paper has been completed however is still under refinement.

The lead author of this document was DMD and Associates Ltd with input and review by Dr. Ian Lewin of Lighting Sciences Inc.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 1st, 2006 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Article, Sports Lighting, Paper. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.