Annual Walk for Light Helps Improve Campus Safety Through Responsible Lighting

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The annual Walk for Light was held Nov. 7 to identify areas of the UMass Amherst campus that require additional lighting or related safety improvements. Over 50 participants joined electricians from Facilities Management in walking six routes spanning the length and breadth of the campus, noting areas with deficient lighting as well as needed repairs to sidewalks, stairs and handrails. 

The event has been presented for over 20 years as a collaborative effort led by the University Police Department and Facility Management’s Utility Electrical unit, in cooperation with representatives from Environmental Health & Safety, Disability Services, Student Affairs, Student Government and Student Activity Groups. 

Thanks to feedback from these walks and the ongoing inspections of lighting performed by the Utility Electrical staff, Facilities Management has added approximately 1,000 sidewalk, roadway, parking lot and building lights on campus over the past two decades. The department is now averaging 50 to 100 new lighting fixtures added yearly, with most projects are installed by a team consisting of department electricians working together with Construction Services staff for site excavation needs.

Over the past several years, industry lighting standards have changed to conform with up-light pollution guidelines put forth by DarkSky International to minimize wildlife disruption. As a result of this trend, the department has also upgraded nearly all outside lighting on campus with energy efficient LED light fixtures that conform to DarkSky’s Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. 

In 2023, feedback from the Walk for Light resulted in improvements to lighting at McGuirk Stadium, the Hadley Horse Farm, parking at Curry Hicks, the Sylvan complex sidewalks and the north side of Bromery Center for Arts facing the campus pond. Future such improvements are planned for lighting near Thatcher Drive and sidewalks connecting North Pleasant Street and the Campus Pond.