Light pollution spatial impact assessment in Hong Kong: Measurement and numerical modelling on commercial lights at street level

With rapid urbanization, the use of external lighting to illuminate cities for night-time activity is on the rise worldwide. Many studies have suggested the excessive use of external lighting causes light pollution, which harms human health and leads to energy wastage. Although more awareness has been raised, there are not many regulations and guidelines available. As one of the cities most affected by light pollution in the world, Hong Kong has started exploring this issue within the general and business communities. However, studies that quantitatively evaluate the problem of light pollution in this city are lacking.This study aimed to assess light pollution quantitatively through measurement and numerical modelling. To achieve this, measurement protocols were developed, and site measurements were carried out in one of the known problem areas, Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok district. Through this exercise, both vertical and horizontal illuminances on the street level and the light distribution along the street were determined. An average level of 250 lx for the vertical illuminance was found, which was 3-4 times higher than the recommended brightness for normal activity. The light environment of the measured area was also modelled with the simulation program DIALux. This effort complemented the measurements by providing a means to increase the resolution on the light variation and to visualize light pollution in a 3D environment. The simulation results were verified by correlating the numerical model with measurements. The correlated model was exercised in a subsequent sensitivity study to predict possible outcomes with changing lighting pattern and lighting lumen level. This study serves to quantify this issue, which helps with the further development of effective solutions.