User Survey of Subjective Preference for Street-Lighting Sources

A telephone survey was conducted to assess user subjective preferences for metal halide versus high-pressure sodium lighting used in the Neighborhood Streetlight Demonstration Project conducted by an electric utility company. A variety of univariate and multivariate parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were conducted. This analysis revealed that users rated metal halide higher on color and aesthetic dimensions, they rated metal halide and high-pressure sodium equal in terms of overall satisfaction, and they more frequently named metal halide as the preferred source for a street other than the one they live on. Residents living under metal halide lighting were seen to exhibit more of a loyalty for their source than did high-pressure sodium users. In agreement with previous studies, users' assessment of lighting quantity were uncorrelated with photometric measurements. We conclude that further studies are warranted because these suggested preferences and loyalties, if confirmed, would be important to consider in designing street lighting and in setting street-lighting policy.