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The article points out research that indicates that brighter lighting doesn't have a measurable effect on either crime or car safety.
by cauterized 10y ago
The article points out research that indicates that brighter lighting doesn't have a measurable effect on either crime or car safety.
- bluthru 10y agoI'm skeptical that there is enough data to be so sure. Some say it's better for drivers avoiding pedestrians: http://www.osram.com/osram_com/news-and-knowledge/led-home/led-trends/urban-safety/index.jsp http://www.osram.com/osram_com/news-and-knowledge/led-home/l... While others say it makes them feel safer: http://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/friendly-streets-study-shows-pedestrians-feel-safer-white-streetlights.html http://www.treehugger.com/urban-design/friendly-streets-stud... Does feeling safer matter? Increasing comfort is good, but it could also encourage more pedestrian activity and "eyes on the street" to dissuade crime as well.
- cauterized 10y agoSure, feeling safer matters. But in a neighborhood that's already extremely safe and residents feel safe, you don't need glaring white lights to accomplish that. Slightly brighter lights than the sodium ones, sure. But "brighter" and "feels safer" can be accomplished while keeping them at a warm temperature and somewhere halfway up the scale from dim, instead of cranked all the way up to glaring. Besides, as I mentioned in a previous comment, the blindingly deep shadows produced by the higher contrast of the bright lights makes me feel LESS safe because I now can make out less of what's around me. And finally, feeling safe in and of itself doesn't have that much value, as anyone who disapproves of the TSA's security theater or the NSA's surveillance will gladly explain.