DarkSky International, known until 2023 as the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that works to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky.
It promotes outdoor lighting that is useful, targeted, low in level, controlled and warm in color. It runs a fixture approval program for luminaires that meet its criteria, certifies dark sky places, and, with the Illuminating Engineering Society, developed the Model Lighting Ordinance that many communities draw on.
Why it matters for parking
- Surface lots and garage roofs are large outdoor lighting installations and a common source of skyglow and light trespass. See light pollution.
- Dark-sky friendly fixtures are fully shielded and are easy to specify for lots and roof decks. See cutoff luminaires.
- Local ordinances based on dark-sky principles may limit uplight, color temperature and after-hours lighting.
The Parkonomics view
Dark-sky lighting and good parking lighting are not in conflict. Shielded fixtures at recommended levels light the parking surface well, spare the neighbors and use less energy.
Related terms: Light Pollution, Light Trespass, Cutoff Luminaires, IES