The MLO will provide a standardized structure and methodology for lighting ordinances. As it gains acceptance, compliance will increase, and sky glow, light trespass, and energy use will all be greatly reduced from today’s practices. And with both IDA/IESNA developing this, the MLO will be defensible, which is critical for codes and regulations. The MLO should be a major step forward in improving the quality of nighttime lighting and creating a clear guide for outdoor lighting requirements.
Nancy Clanton, PE, IALD, FIES, LC, LEED AP, President of Clanton & Associates, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, is a member of the joint IDA/IESNA Model Lighting Ordinance Task Force, Chair of the IESNA Outdoor Environmental Lighting Committee, and serves on the IDA Board of Directors.
Diagrams outline the amount of light (lumens) emitting from luminaires in Backlight, Uplight, and Glare Zones—referred to as the BUG rating system.