Facilities Master Plan

Development Program

Campus Lighting Program

GRCC Lighting Goal

A campus-wide lighting program shall be implemented which supports the hierarchy of circulation, creates a unified campus lighting aesthetic, limits light pollution, preserves nighttime habitats for wildlife, utilizes effective energy measures, and creates an atmosphere in which people feel safe while walking through campus at night.

Purpose

Appropriate site lighting illuminates pathways, increases safety, augments navigation, enhances comfort, and efficiently utilizes energy resources. When carefully considered, it will also assist in unifying the campus aesthetic. Lighting should be effective and energy efficient and should complement the campus character.

Quality of Light

Glare control and cut-off angles shall be carefully considered to insure that light output is efficient and promotes safety and that light pollution into the night sky, onto neighboring properties, and into wildlife habitat areas is prevented wherever possible. Excess light and glare can impair visibility. Lighting will be designed to provide uniform levels across walking surfaces and to avoid dark spots.

Gateways and building entrances will be highlighted to allow for good visibility. Additionally, supplemental architectural or landscape lighting may be included if it improves safety or fulfills a specific navigation role. This supplemental lighting should be provided via on-site energy sources and without harm to nighttime wildlife habitat
 

Fixture Types

The lighting chosen should work well with walking paths and parking lots. Fixtures illuminating pedestrian circulation will be at a smaller scale than those illuminating parking lots and road. Fixtures will highlight campus gateways, pedestrian pathways, building entrances, and specialty areas while maintaining cut-off angles to minimize light pollution.

• Campus Gateways

  Fixtures will vary with gateway element. Possible fixtures include ground-mounted spotlights illuminating signs and gateway or pedestrian-scale pole lights at each side of entry with additional spotlight on campus signs.
   

• Primary Pedestrian Paths
  
  Pole lights with full cut-off; heads mounted at approximately 12 feet above grade. Light should be uniform across walking surface and should extend on either side of path for at least 6’. Changes in elevation will need more light.
   

• Secondary Pedestrian Paths

  Limited use of pole lights with full cut-off; heads typically mounted at approximately 12’ above grade. Wherever possible, paths will be augmented with lower level bollard lighting. Light should be uniform across walking surface and be limited to the width of the path. Changes in elevation will be given particular attention.
   

• Tertiary Pedestrian Circulation
  
  Lighting shall largely be excluded from tertiary pedestrian paths in order to preserve the nighttime wildlife habitat. Where lighting is necessary, it shall be provided via low level bollards.
   
• Building Entrances
  
  Architectural lighting shall be provided to light primary building entrances. Lighting may be either interior or exterior. Building signs will also be provided with specialty lighting.
   
• Specialty Lighting
  
  Landmarks – Ground-mounted or recessed spotlights focused on landmarks to promote navigation.
  Landscape - Ground-mounted floodlights may be desirable for trees that are navigation focal points or aesthetic assets. In general, landscape lighting will be minimal and where provided, powered by on-site power generation systems (i.e. photovoltaic or other system).
   
• Parking Areas and Access Roads
  
  Pole lights with full cut-off; head mounted at approximately 20 – 30 feet above grade

Energy Use

ICurrent technologies are improving rapidly as the demand for energy-efficient white light lamping increases Energy management control systems will be employed to the maximum practical extent.

Fundamental to energy efficiency is focusing light where it is needed rather than allowing it to spill into the sky and/or create glare. Wattages can potentially be reduced by using the light more efficiently.

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