Lighting FAQ

1. How many lights are there on campus?
   There are approximately 2700 walkway, parking lot and roadway lights on the University Park campus.
2. How much does it cost to illuminate campus?
   Approximately $2500 per month, or about $30,000 per year.
3. How do you determine how much lighting is enough?
   We evaluate lighting qualitatively (how good), not quantitatively (how much). We do not generally measure illumination in foot-candles. When planning new projects, foot-candles of illumination are calculated to ensure minimum standards are met. Again, we illuminate to the level that a person can see someone is approaching them.
4. Why does a light go out (or come on) when I walk underneath it?
   The bulb in this light is in the process of failing, something we call "strobing". There are no street lights or walkway lights that are on motion sensors. Lights that are strobing will soon be out completely, and should be reported to OPP for repair.
5. How are the various lights on campus identified?
   Each street and walkway light is identified by a unique series of numbers and letters that are typically on a small white rectangle located on the light pole. If you wish to report a light that is not working, it is important that you note this series of numbers and letters and the general location of the fixture (i.e., light 24CO, on the south side of Eisenhower Parking Deck).
6. Why do some lights on campus appear "reddish" while others appear "white"?
   The "reddish" light is given off by high pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs. These bulbs have been used for many years throughout campus because of their long life span and lower operating cost. The University is currently in the process of replacing HPS bulbs with medal halide (MH) bulbs. Metal halide provides a much whiter light, which for equal wattage, looks brighter than HPS light and makes colors look truer. The trade-off with MH bulbs is that they do not last as long and are slightly more expensive to operate than HPS bulbs.