Virtual reality offers versatility allowing to modify and analyze some environmental parameters such as light intensity, color, etc.

By modifying these values, we can completely change the simulation without any cost other than that of computer tools. In addition, this technology allows continuous work : all relevant factors can be added inside the simulation to continue expanding the range of research on the perception of safety in the streets.

Finding a link between the perception of safety and the intensity of light is a difficult task. It is therefore through this research project that we will try to reach a conclusion based on the results of virtual simulations with participants who are very real.

CC BY-SA 2.0 Cesar - Bridge

Street lighting is a crucial element for the nightlife of cities: it encourages recreational and economic activities, and increases social and community interaction. Several studies have also shown that street lighting has a significant impact on reducing traffic accidents and, to some extent, crime rates.

Today, the management of urban lighting is designed to be more respectful of the environment and in line with the objectives of more sober energy consumption. Light pollution has a negative impact on local biodiversity. It can also disrupt the sleep and circadian rhythms of people living nearby. However, the literature lacks evidence showing the impact of lighting conditions on human well-being.

We propose to analyze the relationship between feelings of safety and street lighting. In order to build an experiment that can be replicated with the same factors, we decided to set up a virtual reality simulation, as it allows us to generate the scene of a selected street and modify the lighting configuration while other factors remain unchanged (weather, people walking, sky illumination, etc.). This is important if we are to understand how each factor impacts pedestrians' perceptions and feelings.

 

A research project carried out by

Several demonstrations of our works on virtual reality applied to the study of the relationship between the feeling of safety and street lighting were carried out as part of events organized by the Noz Breizh Chair and its partners, notably at:

•     Cop Locale 2022 conference
•     Fêtes de la science 2022 and 2023
•     Smart Noz scientific and artistic seminars in Kerangoff and Keredern
•     Youth in Action in Keredern 2023
•     19th European Researchers' Night 2023