An Examination of an Illuminated Bike Path in a Southern U.S. Town

An illuminated pedestrian and bike path in a southern U.S. town was examined for this study. The U.S. state where this study was conducted is ranked in the top 50% for fatal pedestrian crashes in the United States of America. The path, with sections both near to and distant from the roadway, bordered a University campus in the southern U.S. and served to link existing University buildings, a University/community arena and parking. Researchers empirically examined existing lighting conditions along the proposed path in 2005, considering existing spill lighting from nearby buildings and roadways. Following industry procedures, they took sample light meter readings utilizing a hand-held lux meter. After a five year delay in Federal funding, construction on the illuminated pedestrian and bike path project commenced. After the path’s completion in 2012, the researchers re-measured light levels at the site.  They compared their pre- and post-installation measurements to the industry recommendations, the IESNA lighting recommendations for pedestrian and bike paths in effect during these two time periods. After the new lighting was installed, light levels measured in 2012-13 and the light levels were much more even. The path is currently in use by University and community stakeholders. Safety and security concerns had spurred interest in the design and construction of an illuminated pedestrian and bike path. This paper begins to fill a gap in the literature regarding empirical case studies of pedestrian and bike path lighting installations.