Public participation geographic information system as a tool to study the relationship between reassurance and outdoor lighting

Thoughtfully designed outdoor lighting plays a significant role in supporting reassurance after dark. This study aims to explore the use of the public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) methodology to examine the relationship between reassurance and outdoor road lighting, focusing on participants’ everyday experiences. By employing PPGIS, which has seldom been used in urban lighting research, we investigate the associations between reported reassurance and actual lighting conditions, including the presence of lighting features and the requirements for various road lighting classes. Additionally, the study explores correlations between reassurance and perceived lighting parameters, such as overall quality of road lighting and brightness. Our findings confirm that the presence of lighting itself can positively contribute to reassurance and that unlit areas are perceived as less safe in comparison with areas with any lighting (i.e. P3 and P4 lighting classes). We also establish a positive correlation between reassurance and perceived lighting parameters, with distinct differences in these parameters observed between safe and unsafe places, where higher ratings are associated with areas reported as safe. Overall, the PPGIS methodology demonstrates considerable potential for further development and application in outdoor lighting studies, providing valuable insights for urban lighting design.