Car parks are an essential feature of the built environment, and correctly lighting them to provide safety for users is important. When specifying the lighting system for a car park area, considerations should be given to how and when the space will be navigated by both vehicles and pedestrians, and also the impact of the lighting on the surrounding areas.
Multiple types of lighting fixture can feature in an outdoor car park to provide both visual cues for users and to ensure that safety is maintained in all areas by keeping pedestrians and vehicles separated.
Car parks are an essential feature of the built environment, and correctly lighting them to provide safety for users is important. When specifying the lighting system for a car park area, considerations should be given to how and when the space will be navigated by both vehicles and pedestrians, and also the impact of the lighting on the surrounding areas.
Multiple types of lighting fixture can feature in an outdoor car park to provide both visual cues for users and to ensure that safety is maintained in all areas by keeping pedestrians and vehicles separated.
In quieter areas, such as parking areas for shops and residential buildings where usage is low and the number of pedestrians walking through the space is limited, lower levels of lighting are needed. The recommended average illuminance in such spaces is 5lux with 0.25 uniformity.
This level of lighting provides sufficient visual detail for users while reducing the impact on the surrounding areas.
In quieter areas, such as parking areas for shops and residential buildings where usage is low and the number of pedestrians walking through the space is limited, lower levels of lighting are needed. The recommended average illuminance in such spaces is 5lux with 0.25 uniformity.
This level of lighting provides sufficient visual detail for users while reducing the impact on the surrounding areas.
In larger car parks with high numbers of users, such as for sports venues, transport hubs and shopping centres, the recommended average illuminance is 2lux.
The safety of users and the security of their vehicles is a key factor in designing the lighting system for a car park.
Good quality lighting mounted at higher levels such as posts supports security measures such as CCTV cameras in place across the facility and aids in facial recognition to serve as a deterrent.
The use of bollards and floor level lighting can be used to clearly delineate the pathways and pedestrian areas to separate foot traffic from vehicles and prevent accidents.
Smart lighting controls using PIR sensors to detect people in the space and light sensors to adjust illumination levels depending on the time of day help to improve the overall efficiency of the car park and reduce energy consumption when appropriate while maintaining good security and safety levels.
Speak to an outdoor lighting specialist from Whitecroft Lighting to discuss your project and learn more about how our product range can help you design a car park lighting system that will improve safety for users.
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