Study of the effect of glare on the ability of perception among elderly for the purpose of determining unified glare rating (UGR) when designing the lighting in working rooms.

Project manager: Agnieszka Wolska Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The aim of the project was to develop test methods for testing the effect of glare on the ability of perception and degree of glare sensation among the elderly and to develop recommendations of preferred unified glare rating values (UGR) when designing lighting for the elderly. To achieve this purpose a control room was built and a method of experimental research on the influence of discomfort glare on perception among elderly 50+ was developed. To measure the ratio of glare UGR a portable system for measuring the luminance LMK Mobile Advanced Imaging Photometer (photometer LMK) was purchased with LMK LabSoft software, and a method measuring the UGR using the photometer was developed. A method testing the effect of glare on the ability perception was developed using a CCD calibrated camera to measure the luminance distribution that was verified in the pilot studies. Next, a proper study was carried in a group of 65 people: 33 from the group of 50+ and 32 people from the control group (aged 19-34 years) for two modeled conditions of discomfort glare at UGR = 19 and UGR = 22 designated computationally in DIALux program designed for lighting design. The results became a basis for development of training materials on test method of discomfort glare at workstation using a CCD camera calibrated to measure luminance, and recommendations for lighting designers on the choice of unified glare rating (UGR) when designing the lighting for the elderly.

Unit: Department of Safety Engineering

Duration: 01.01.2011 – 31.12.2013