Analysis and evaluation of outdoor public lighting design : “a walk to remember”

Abstract

Lighting design is often considered both an art and an engineering discipline, guided by specific principles. Looking towards the future, the prospects for outdoor public lighting design and systems in India are diverse and promising. This expansive outlook involves the implementation of adaptive intelligent lighting systems, harmonizing lighting with the smart cities concept, prioritizing human health and well-being, infusing artistic and aesthetic considerations into designs, ensuring cost-effective maintenance practices, and establishing robust regulatory frameworks. By wholeheartedly embracing these opportunities and addressing associated challenges, India can pave the way for outdoor lighting that not only fulfils functional requirements but also contributes to sustainability, safety, and the overall enhancement of public spaces. The core of this thesis centers on a comparative analysis of outdoor public lighting design metrics in Rajarhat and Siliguri. This exploration has illuminated significant differences and opportunities within these distinct urban contexts. While Rajarhat demonstrated a higher deployment of luminaires, leading to concerns about light pollution and skyglow, Siliguri presented lower light levels, raising safety and security issues in poorly lit areas. Both cities confronted the challenge of light pollution to varying extents, emphasizing the need to strike a delicate balance between illumination and its ecological consequences.