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Analyzing the obstruction effects of obstacles on light pollution caused by street lighting system in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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  • Xiaojiang Li

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA)

  • Fábio Duarte

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
    Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Brazil)

  • Carlo Ratti

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA)

Abstract

Artificial light has transformed urban life, enhancing visibility, aesthetics, and increasing safety in public areas. However, too much unwanted artificial light leads to light pollution, which has a negative effect on public health and urban ecosystems, as well as on the aesthetic and cultural meanings of the night sky. Some of the factors interfering with the estimation of light pollution in cities are urban features, such as the presence of trees, road dimensions, and the physical characteristics of buildings. In this study, we proposed a simplified model for unwanted upward light coming from street luminaires based on a building height model and the publicly accessible Google Street View images. We simulated and analyzed the obstruction effects of different street features on the light pollution caused by the street lighting system in Cambridge, Massachusetts. By providing quantitative information about the connections between the streetscape features and the amount of unwanted upward artificial light, this study provides reference values to inform policies aimed at curbing light pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaojiang Li & Fábio Duarte & Carlo Ratti, 2021. "Analyzing the obstruction effects of obstacles on light pollution caused by street lighting system in Cambridge, Massachusetts," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 48(2), pages 216-230, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:48:y:2021:i:2:p:216-230
    DOI: 10.1177/2399808319861645
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ricardo Álvarez & Fábio Duarte & Alaa AlRadwan & Michelle Sit & Carlo Ratti, 2017. "Re-Imagining Streetlight Infrastructure as a Digital Urban Platform," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 51-64, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Piotr Jaskowski & Piotr Tomczuk & Marcin Chrzanowicz, 2022. "Construction of a Measurement System with GPS RTK for Operational Control of Street Lighting," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, December.

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