USSC Initiates EMC Light-Level Variation Research

The United States Sign Council Foundation, which is the research arm of the United States Sign Council (USSC), has initiated a research study aimed at developing nighttime, lighting-level guidelines for on-premise, LED powered electronic message centers (EMCs). The study, scheduled for completion in this autumn, will be conducted by Philip Garvey, who has been spearheading on-premise sign research and providing consulting services to the USSC for nearly 15 years.
The study is expected to provide the industry with a scientifically acceptable means of calculating appropriate, on-premise, LED EMC light levels for all ambient light conditions — day and night – based on the needs of motorists and traffic safety.
Many cities and towns are attempting to restrict LED EMC lighting levels without benefit of scientific research into the consequences of such restrictions, both in regard to compromised legibility and the consequent impact on traffic safety, particularly on relatively high speed highways.
The main objective of the research is to determine appropriate LED EMC brightness as a function of ambient light level. Particular emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the signs are bright enough in daylight and sufficiently dimmed at night to provide adequate legibility to motorists approaching them at varying rates of speed and travel conditions.
If research findings don’t strongly support the development of guidelines for LED EMC lighting levels, then the result of the research will also include a detailed proposal to conduct the additional research necessary to definitively address this issue, which will be assessed by USSC at that time.
In any event, USSC is certain that this initial outreach research effort will help it answer questions on the subject of LED EMC lighting with the same degree of scientific accuracy that has become the hallmark of all past USSC research efforts.