Evaluating the impact of street lighting configurations on the accuracy of pedestrian obstacle detection: Findings from an onsite experiment

• This study, “Evaluating the Impact of Street Lighting Configurations on the Accuracy of Pedestrian Obstacle Detection: Findings from an Onsite Experiment” investigates the impact of street lighting parameters—specifically horizontal illuminance and uniformity—on pedestrians' ability to detect small, low-reflectance obstacles during nighttime. Through experiments involving 56 participants across 14 controlled lighting scenarios, the research identifies critical thresholds of illuminance (E max = 6.7 lx, E ave = 1.94 lx, E min = 0.98 lx) beyond which detection accuracy does not improve further. • This evidence narrows down the topic by focusing on obstacle detection accuracy under different lighting parameters. It aligns with global efforts to create safer and more sustainable urban environments, demonstrating that optimized lighting planning can meet safety standards without resorting to over-illumination. Street lighting serves to enhance pedestrian safety, such as by improving visibility and helping to detect obstacles at night, while also minimizing energy consumption to support sustainability goals. This study investigates the impact of lighting parameters—specifically horizontal illuminance and uniformity—on pedestrians' ability to detect small obstacles, highlighting a critical consideration in designing urban lighting that ensures both safety and efficiency. Fifty-six observers performed detection tasks under 14 lighting conditions, each involving 14 low-reflectance (gray) obstacles measuring 20 × 20 × 20 mm. Detection accuracy plateaued when maximum, average, and minimum illuminance (E max , E ave and E min ) reached 6.7 lx, 1.94 lx and 0.98 lx , respectively—indicating no additional benefit to obstacle detection beyond these thresholds. This plateau effect challenges conventional lighting practices that emphasize higher illuminance to enhance perceived safety. Instead, the findings support sustainable lighting strategies by identifying sufficient illuminance levels to ensure pedestrian safety while minimizing energy consumption and light pollution. This evidence aligns with global efforts to develop safer, more sustainable urban environments, demonstrating that optimized lighting design can meet safety standards without resorting to over-illumination.