Field Experiments to Evaluate and Control Light Tower Glare in Nighttime Work Zones
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135, Issue 9
Abstract
An increasing volume of highway repair and construction work is being performed during the off-peak nighttime hours to mitigate the impact of construction-related daytime traffic congestions and shorten the duration of construction operations. The utilization and placement of light towers to illuminate the work zone in this type of construction can cause harmful levels of glare for both drivers and construction workers. This paper presents the results of field experiments which were conducted to (1) study the levels of glare and lighting performance generated by light towers in and around nighttime work zones; (2) analyze the combined impact of the light tower set up parameters including its height as well as its aiming and rotation angles on glare and lighting performance; and (3) provide practical recommendations to reduce and control lighting glare in and around nighttime work zones. The results of these experiments confirm that the set up of light towers has a significant impact on glare and therefore it should be carefully designed and executed on nighttime highway construction projects to ensure the safety of the traveling public as well as construction workers.
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Acknowledgments
The writers gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided for this research project by the ICT under Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDICT R27-2 and the Qatar National Research Fund under Award No. UNSPECIFIEDQNRF-NPRP26-6-7-2. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ICT or the Qatar National Research Fund.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135 • Issue 9 • September 2009
Pages: 911 - 919
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: May 14, 2008
Accepted: Feb 5, 2009
Published online: Apr 30, 2009
Published in print: Sep 2009
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