Abstract:
Pedestrian lighting has an important role in perceived safety. Good lighting can extend duration of walkway usage at night. Nowadays, post top lighting is generally utilized due to its good light distribution. However, in some areas where limitations exist or there is no post to install any lamps, there are needs to install the luminaires at lower mounting height and distribute localized lighting. This research aimed to study the impact of mounting height and spacing of light fixtures that affect pedestrains' perceived safety. Three types of luminaires mounting height include A (0.20 m. above ground level), B (1.00 m. above ground level) and C (both 0.20 m. and 1.00 m. above ground level) position. In terms of luminaire spacing, this research proposed three lengths which are 1.00 m., 2.00 m., and 3.00 m. between each lamp. The experiment was conducted on-site after the sunset and 5-point scale questionnaires were sent out to 59 Thai participants. This research found that both mounting height and luminaire spacing have significant effect on participants' perceived safety. Lighting installation type B1 (1.00 m. mounting height with 1.00 m. spacing) and C1 (0.20 m. and 1.00 m. mounting height with 1.00 m. spacing) initiate significantly higher average scores than post top lighting's. Those average scores included light sufficiency, perceived safety, facial recognition and discomfort glare. Moreover, considering in perceived safety and energy saving comparison, B1 is the only installation type which has average safety score more than post top's and also has energy consumption less than ASHRAE standard 90.1-2007.