Using Simulation-Based Modeling to Evaluate Light Trespass in the Design Stage of Sports Facilities

Artificial light is a pollutant with broad implications for society. Consequently, laws and regulations aimed at curbing the improper use of artificial lighting (i.e., light pollution) are becoming common. For such laws to become effective, light pollution must first be evaluated and quantified. Current methods for evaluating lit environments in sports facilities are only applicable after the facilities have been built, making it challenging to prevent light pollution preemptively. Here, a technique to predict light pollution during the planning stage is proposed. To analyze the upward light generated by the large lights found in sports facilities using a computer simulation, a method of defining a virtual horizontal board above the stadium is proposed. To analyze how light trespasses out of the stadium, a method of dividing and analyzing the space outside the stadium by zone is also presented. In addition, a method to predict the formation of high luminance surfaces under outdoor lighting is presented. The proposed methods are validated on two large sports facilities currently being constructed in Korea. As a consequence, horizontal and vertical illuminances are reduced by 74.5% and 72.2%, respectively. The methods are useful to lighting designers with interest in reducing light pollution.