Modelled impacts of a potential light emitting diode lighting system conversion and the influence of an extremely polluted atmosphere in Mexico City

Abstract

Currently, many cities worldwide are changing current existing and mostly outdated lighting situation systems from inefficient lamps to light emitting diodes (LEDs). Providing the opportunity of energy savings, they can help in preventing influences to the night sky and furthermore issues for human health, wildlife and environment. This work simulates a potential LED conversion for the megacity of Mexico City and investigates impacts to conservation areas. Modelled for the whole visible spectrum, the analysis places special focus on the effects of applying various colour temperatures. Additionally, a highly polluted atmosphere was included as theoretical model, something applying to megacities in particular, to see impacts on skyglow of such an environmental contingency. In general, results show that the night sky brightness increases significantly with increasing colour temperature of LEDs if the lumen output is kept constant. It is shown that a potential conversion requires a thorough adjustment, otherwise negative impacts on environment and health might rise. Furthermore, an increased aerosol optical thickness ends in producing more diffuse light, identifying a major concern for the environment. The results obtained in this paper may be a strong motivation to ascertain measurements conducted in other large urban areas correlated to the computational results presented here.