IDA and IESNA Sign Agreement
to Develop a Model Lighting Ordinance and Design Guidelines
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), with the approval of both boards of directors, have signed an agreement to develop a Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) and companion Design Guidelines.
The MLO is intended for use by cities and municipalities that want to provide a regulatory strategy for outdoor lighting, to require outdoor lighting appropriate to communities, the environment, and natural habitat. IDA will take the lead in the development of the MLO. Design Guidelines will be developed under the lead of IESNA to provide technical background on the provisions of the MLO for design professionals to determine how to give appropriate design guidance about the MLO.
The MLO is still under development by a joint task force of both organizations. While the final Ordinance will not be available for another few months, the following information indicates the initial intent of the Ordinance.
Most cities are already familiar with classifying different areas into zoning districts for other regulatory purposes and the MLO will recommend Lighting Zones (LZs) that correspond to those districts, typically based on population and/or use type. Each LZ (from 0 to 4) will provide a recommended upper limit on the amount of light. A community could choose to assign a different LZ to the area, preferably lower, to align with its existing districts. Examples of suggested LZs are: astronomical observatories and open spaces with wildlife would be an LZ0, while commercial districts not in proximity to residential areas would be an LZ3. Certain special applications, such as prisons and large transportation facilities, would not be assigned an LZ category in the MLO but would require community and state or federal review for establishing lighting limits.
Two methods of demonstrating compliance with the MLO are offered. A Prescriptive method provides the allowed lumens per square foot and minimum requirements for each LZ. A Performance method limits the lumens emitted by an optical system and is based on a new IESNA luminaire classification system. The system will allow manufacturers to describe their products in terms of the quantity of light emitted at various angles, using a rating system easily understood by those specifying and evaluating the suitability of a particular optical system.
While the Prescriptive method is envisioned to be applicable for most LZs, the Performance method will be required for certain special applications, for LZ4 use types, and when the allowance for a site exceeds the limits of the designated LZ.
The MLO will address how, when, and where to impose curfews. It will not include limits on any aspect of public lighting—lighting installed for public benefit, such as within the public right of way, street and roadway lighting. Communities are, however, encouraged to evaluate and improve their public lighting systems based on the MLO.
IDA and IESNA expect to have the draft MLO completed by mid-2006. The Design Guidelines will be developed as companion to the MLO and will be issued shortly after the completion of the Ordinance.
Contacts
Scott Davis
International Dark-Sky Association
3225 North First Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85719
U.S.
Telephone: 520-293-3198
Fax: 520-293-3192
Website: www.darksky.org
Rita Harrold
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
120 Wall Street, 17th
New York, New York 10005-4001
U.S.
Telephone: 212-248-5000 Ext. 110
Fax: 212-248-5018
Website: www.iesna.org
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