CPTEDLights theWay BY PETE GOLDIN C


PTED ILLUMINATES the security needs of parking facility design, lit- erally, in terms of the actu- al lighting of car parks.


CPTED, crime prevention through envi-


ronmental design, takes into account the many factors that impact security of any facility – including car parks – and lighting is a major component. “There is no one right lighting solution for


all car parks,” explains RandyAtlas, Ph.D., vice president ofAtlas Safety and SecurityDesign and author of the book 21st Century Security and CPTED- Protecting Critical Infrastructure. “CPTED allows for diversity in lighting, based on a risk assessment and the experience the park- ing lot owner wants to deliver to the user.” A CPTED-aligned approach to lighting in


car parks is outlined in the IESNAG-1-03 securi- ty lighting guidelines fromthe Illuminating Engi- neering Society, which recommend lighting lev- els of 5 to 6 foot-candles in gathering areas such as stairs, elevators, and ramps; 5 foot-candles for walkways; and a minimum of 3 foot-candles in open parking lots. Meanwhile, entrances should be very bright,


with either 10 foot-candles or twice the level of lighting in the area around the car park, to make the entrance stand out and increase visibility for patrons entering and exiting the facility on foot. Perimeter fencing should have at least one-half foot-candle of average horizontal illumination on both sides tominimize available hiding spots. “Reducing height of light fixtures can sig-


nificantly improve the ability of pedestrians to see past shadows caused by vehicles and obstruc- tions,”Atlas says. “Typical light posts are 30 to 45 feet high and illuminate a wide area, but they create deep shadows between cars.” “Most people are comfortable if they can


identify someone walking towards them from 20 to 30 feet away,” adds Barry Davidson, Execu- tive Director for ICA, the Canada-based International CPTED Association, pointing out that the psychology of the design is a critical component of CPTED, intended to influence the behav- ior of criminals, but also improve the comfort of the car park patrons. “However, a lot of lighting is set so high that everything is in shadow, so you could see a body coming toward you but you don’t have any kind of comfort level because you cannot identify them.” “Light from poles that are only 12 to 14 feet high passes


through the carwindows and reflects off the vehicles, dramatical- ly reducing shadows and dark spots,”Atlas continues. “Ideally, an open parking lot should have a combination of high and low


8 JUNE 2010 • PARKING WORLD • www.parkingworld.com


lighting to provide maximum coverage and visibility, with mini- mumshadows and places to hide.” According toAtlas, paint can also have a substantial impact


on lighting, and he suggests the interior of parking garages should be painted in light colors to increase reflectivity. “One innovative car park owner in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,


painted the ceiling in white circles that reflect light,”Atlas notes. “The ceilings of this garage are also higher than usual, allowing better light distribution by reflection and refraction of light.” In addition,Atlas recommends that car parks utilize luminar-


ieswith polycarbonate lenses which aremore resistant to vandal- ism or breakage.A commitment to ongoing maintenance is also


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