Resolutions approved June 15, 2009 by the American Medical Association
RESOLVED That our AMA advocate that all future outdoor lighting be of energy efficient designs to reduce waste of energy and production of greenhouse gasses that result from this wasted energy use, and be it further
RESOLVED That our AMA develop and enact a policy that supports light pollution reduction efforts and glare reduction efforts at both the national and state levels; and be it further
RESOLVED That our AMA support that all future streetlights will be of a fully shielded design or similar non-glare design to improve the safety of our roadways for all, but especially vision impaired and older drivers.
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- SonofLiberty1
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This is a MAJOR positive step in the right direction to reduce wasteful and dangerous nighttime over-illumination. I lead the Optical Design group for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, and am keenly aware of lighting design. Poorly designed lighting is a quantifiable highway hazard to drivers of all ages, with countless unshielded high-brightness lights shining directly onto oncoming street or freeway traffic. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area is a horrific example of unshielded lighting from car dealerships, banks, hotels etc. creating highway hazards (Highway 183 through the mid-cities is a particularly dangerous light environment). I also have personal experience that unshielded lighting also creates numerous night landing hazards around local area airports, making runway lighting difficult to discern over a range of approach angles and in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Please continue your endorsements and efforts in championing intelligent and competent engineering design of night illumination. Laws need to be enhanced and enacted that further restrict the total integrated amount of night illumination a given area can radiate, and specifically restrict lighting levels and directions along streets, highways and landing strips.
Thank you,
Mike
