9.18.2024 ECC Meeting packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

f5.2a How to choose the right type of path and trail lighting for your proje In our rails -to -trails series, we first looked at the basics of urban renewal, how rails -to -trails projects fit in, and why municipalities, counties, and states would want to take part. Next, we will cover the considerations when lighting a trail to ensure trail safety. Trails may be convenient during the day, but they often must close at sundown —which can limit their use, especially in winter months with shorter hours of daylight. Proper signage and after -dark policies may help, but installing effective lighting is an even better way to increase the sense of safety for trail users. #1: Consider what the community wants. Properly assessed lighting considers who will use the trail and for what purpose. What types of trail users are there? Commuters traveling after dark, especially in winter, will likely need and want more lighting than weekend visitors, who may be more likely to stick to daylight hours for their activities. Once you've determined that lighting is desired, consultation in the surrounding area is vitalboth for illumination and noise or other concerns —because not everyone will be on board with this trail feature. It would be best to consider human neighbors who may not want extraneous lighting in their homes. Dark -sky initiatives may mean the community mandates against unnecessary nighttime lighting. (Learn more in #3 below about effective lighting design to minimize excessive light.) In addition, there must be a proper environmental assessment to ensure the local ecology won't be negatively affected by the lighting. For example, the reenwav Trail in Whittier, Californi• , is a 4.5-mile commuter and recreational pathway surrounding residential and commercial communities that were not disturbed by trenching for wiring infrastructure. They chose solar lighting, which doesn't require trenching to install, protecting the delicate wetland while still giving the community a safer alternative to walking along the nearby traffic hubs.