Compatibility Assessment
Though the Air Force does not have recommended lighting standards to
reduce the impact of community lighting on night training, shielded
downward facing lighting that reduces sky glow and improves the overall
ambient light conditions are considered effective measures. Local
jurisdictions can employ lighting regulations and dark skies ordinances to
reduce the upward impact of night lighting and lighting intensity of Light
Emitting Diode (LED) billboards.
The City of Biloxi has an ordinance for signs, which states that flashings
signs, therefore LED billboards, although allowed in the city, cannot flash,
which could create further distraction to pilots. In addition, billboards,
including LED billboards, are not allowed along freeways.
2010 Light Pollution surrounding Keesler AFB
Source: http://www.lightpollutionmap.info Data Earth Observation Group, NOAA
National Geophysical Data Center
The City of D’Iberville also has an ordinance for signs and billboards,
although there are no specifications for lighting on billboards. In general,
signs that exhibit confusing lighting that may affect visibility are not allowed
in the city. This could include LED billboards that flash or include similar
movements that could confuse aircraft pilots.
In addition to municipal ordinances, the International Dark‐Sky Association
(IDA) is an organization dedicated to the education and promotion of dark
skies and dark sky preservation. The IDA has worked with communities
around the world to develop methods for reducing light pollution. IDA‐
approved light fixtures are typically more expensive than less efficient
fixtures during initial purchase, which is one reason people chose not to
install them; however, energy costs could be recovered as early as one year
after installation.
2016 Light Pollution surrounding Keesler AFB
Source: http://www.lightpollutionmap.info Data Earth Observation Group, NOAA
National Geophysical Data Center
Background Report
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