for the East Washington corridor in the final report, you’ll notice contradictions. They were glaring enough to prompt the following letter to Charles H. Thompson, Secretary of the State Department of Transportation, from people in Madison’s Good Neighbor Lighting Group. (You can read the report at Hawthorne library or at http://www.ci.madison.wi.us under Projects and Reports.)

Dear Secretary Thompson,

Two statements in the East Washington Avenue Corridor Study Final Report could create more attractive nights for residents and visitors in the corridor. They encourage outdoor lighting designed in favor of good visibility and efficiency. We look forward to the control of light pollution, glare, spill light, and other adverse effects of poor lighting.

Quality of life in corridor neighborhoods could improve as they disappear. I’ll call these statements A and B.

A (page 50) "All exterior light fixtures shall have cut-off shielding that reflects light away from the street and adjacent properties. Light distribution should not spill over between adjacent parcels except into shared parking areas. All light shall be directed away from residences and public streets so bulbs are not visible off the subject property."

B (page 54) "All of the lighting along the corridor should be a "cut off" type fixture to avoid light spillage into residential neighborhoods and the evening sky."

Several benefits come with such well-designed lighting. Public welfare in general is better protected without the safety hazard of glaring spill-light. Since this neighborhood nuisance, as well as light pollution, usually indicate excess light, the fixtures designed to control them can use fewer watts. Along with electricity savings, better all around perception and starrier skies result when just enough light is directed where it’s needed

But unfortunately, the globe and drop-lens designs in figure 12 and discussed on page 54 release light at useless angles, direct glare into people’s eyes, spill light into adjacent neighborhoods and into the sky in direct contradiction of both statements A and B. Many efficient, attractive options are available to cover the street, bridge and pedestrian lighting these were chosen for.

And equally working against the public interest, pages 50 and 52 recommend up-lighting building facades, signs and trees using ground mounted fixtures. This will spill light into the sky in direct contradiction to statement A, and create glare in people’s visual fields.

It is very important to our community that you take action to see that all the lighting in the East Washington corridor complies with statements A and B. With this action you could improve the ambience and safety in corridor neighborhoods and alleviate energy costs for everyone in Madison.

Contact: Karolyn Beebe

220 Merry Street

Madison, 53704

246-0222)