A Model for Nighttime Urban Illumination

Abstract : The Army increasingly relies on night operations to accomplish its objectives. These night operations frequently require using Night Vision Goggles and other light-sensitive devices which are strongly affected by ambient lighting, a large component of which is urban. An urban illumination model is proposed for use in tactical decision aids and wargames which would allow for more accurate prediction of target acquisition ranges and increased realism in simulations. This model will build on previous research that predicts broadband brightness as a function of population and distance from the city center. Since city population and aerosols affect light distributions, the model is being extended and generalized for multiple city types and natural and man-made aerosols. An overview of the model along with future improvements will be presented.