light pollution dark skies greater tucson area update by joe frannea southern arizona chapter of the...
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Light PollutionDark Skies
Greater Tucson Area UpdateBy Joe Frannea
Southern Arizona Chapterof the
International Dark-Sky Association
Web: sa-ida.org
PAG - Oct 75 2011
USA At Night Waste $2 Billion/Year in Electricity (50 coal generators or 15,300 tons coal/day or 5,000 wind turbines)
Topics for Presentation How are we Doing?
- - -
Updated COT/PC Outdoor Lighting Code- - -
International Dark-Sky Association - - -
Education Outreach- - -
Trends
How Are We Doing?
Great!
Recent Study by 2 Lowell Observatory Researchers “Kitt Peak Remains Dark – Sky Overhead”
“effectiveness of local lighting laws”
Much Better at Putting light on the Ground, not in the Sky
But, Sky Glow in Tucson has increasedBut so has the population
We Are…
‘59
‘80
‘03
’03 larger viewCatalina & Tortolita Mtns
250,000 Pima Cty. Pop.
500,000
900,000
U of A Football StadiumLights
BEFORE
AFTER
Photos 8.5 Miles North of Stadium
More Light –HD TV50,000 Fewer Watts75% Less Spill
Updated 2011 City of Tucson
and
Pima County Outdoor Lighting Code
Ready… – Yeah! Current Code is 2006
Significant OLC Changes
Easier to Read, Understand and Interpret
“Developed Space’, not Total Acreage
Sign Lighting Restrictions (LED/LCD type signs)
Added Lighting of Right-of-Ways Chapter (a few negatives regarding residential)
Light Pollution “Catalysts”
Environmental
Energy Savings - Huge (street lighting)
Lighting Industry
Astronomy (IDA 1988)
Dark-Sky Friendly Fixture CD
Retailers Sell These Awful Lights
Most are in Violation of Outdoor Lighting Codes when Turned ON!
International Dark-Sky AssociationModel Lighting Ordinance
A 7 Year Effort – Just Released
By the IDA and Illumining Engineering Society (IES)
Framework - Responsible Outdoor Lighting Standards
Uses the New “BUG” System for Fixtures (Backlight – Uplight – Glare)
The MLO is free - IDA web ( 44 half pages)
Education Outreach
Brochures, Videos, PowerPoints
SARSEF, FUNFEST, Science Nights
Presentations to Clubs, HOAs
Earth Days, ASDM Astronomy Nights
Complaints, Assistance
Southern Arizona Chapter of IDA (several others too..)
Outdoor Lighting Trends - USA
• Flat Lens Full Cut Off Fixtures (only ones available)
• Save Energy (New Designs, CFL, lots of LEDs - 90%<)
• Fewer Street Lights (taking out old ones)
• Lights Off at Night (motion, less dusk to dawn)
• More Interest in Outdoor Lighting Codes• More interest in Harm to Health & Wildlife• Lots More Electronic Signs (flashing/scrolling)
EPA Recognizes Light Pollution as a Pollutant