RELIGHTING THE WAY TO BETTER SECURITY

A parking garage in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was being victimized by time and vandalism. The facility was constructed in 1971 with fluorescent lighting, which had now become inadequate. Teenagers were vandalizing the garage under the cover of darkness due to low lighting levels. Options included renovation of the luminaires and lighting management. This article presents the details of a lighting management plan developed by Entech Engineering Associates, Reading, Pennsylvania, for the Lancaster garage. They recommended high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and developed cost data showing the substantial savings to be had with such a system over a renovated fluorescent lighting system. When a metal ashtray hitting the lens of an HPS lamp couldn't break it and when the luminaire suspensions were specified to be capable of handling a 160-pound load, both by actual test, the new system was considered safe from vandalism by the teenagers. An investment of just under $115,000 has paid for itself in a little over one year. Lessons to be learned from this project concern designing for function, getting qualified assistance, and learning the basics of lighting options.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Authors:
  • Johnson, S R
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 54-56
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 121
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Lighting; Management; Parking garages; Planning; Prevention; Security; Sodium vapor lamps; Vandalism
• Uncontrolled Terms: Replacing
• Old TRIS Terms: Sodium lamps
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Terminals and Facilities; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491764
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1990 12:00AM