Lighting improvements may encourage increased street usage and intensifies natural security surveillance. The change in routine activity patterns will reduce crime because it increases the flow of potentially guardians who can intervene to prevent crime (Cohen & Felson, 1979). From the potential criminal’s perspective, the proximity of other pedestrians acts as a deterrent since the risks of being recognized or intervened when attacking personal or property targets are increased. From the potential victim’s perspective, the perceived risks and fears of crime can be reduced. Eck (2006) found two types of programs that were effective and another seven very promising in preventing crime. Nuisance reduction and improved street lighting were the most effective ones. Two more recent reviews confirmed Eck’s finding that improved street lighting is effective. Clarke (2008) found that better lighting can contribute to reductions in crime, disorder, and fear of crime. Welsh and Farrington’s (2009a); see also Farrington and Welsh (2007a) systematic review and meta-analysis (based on 13 high-quality evaluations from the U.S. and the U.K.) found that improved street lighting is effective in city and town centres, residential areas, and public housing communities. It is more effective in reducing property crimes than in reducing violent crimes. In the research on effects of all the 13 studies conducted, it was found that improved street lighting lead to a 21% reduction in crime (Welsh & Farrington, 2009a). Interestingly, both night time and daytime crimes were measured in 9 of the 13 studies. These 9 night/day studies also showed a significant desirable effect of improved lighting on crime, almost a one-third (30%) decrease in crimes in experimental areas compared with control areas. However, the studies that only measured night time crime showed no effect. These findings suggest that a theory of street lighting focusing on its role in increasing community pride and informal social control may be more plausible than a theory focusing on increased surveillance and increased deterrence.
One of the most effective lighting projects launched in Stoke-on-Trent, U.K. (Painter & Farrington, 1999). The research includes both adjacent and non-adjacent control areas, which allows the most accurate measurement of any crime displacement or crime diffusion effects. Victims were surveyed with an 84% response rate before and an 89% response rate after. The incidence of crime decreased; by 43% in the experimental area, by 45% in the adjacent area, and by only 2% in the control area. When differences in the pre-test victimization rates (prevalence and incidence) in all three areas were controlled, it was found that the changes in experimental and adjacent areas were significantly greater than in the control area. Police records also showed a decrease in crime of only 2% in the larger police area containing all the project areas. It was concluded in the research that improved street lighting had caused a decrease in crime in the experimental area (Painter & Farrington, 1999).
In both studies conducted at Dudley and Stoke-on-Trent; cost-benefit analyses showed that the financial savings from reduced crimes greatly exceeded the financial costs of the improved street lighting (Painter & Farrington, 2001). In the case of Dudley, total monetary benefits were 6.2 times as great as the total costs of the project, including the full capital expenditure. In the same year time frame, the Stoke lighting scheme produced a slightly lower return on investment: for each dollar spent on the project. These returns on investment are even more impressive because in each case the capital costs of installing the lighting improvements were taken into account in full, instead of the standard practice of including only the annual debt payment on the capital expenditure calculated over a reasonable life expectancy of the scheme.
The necessity to ensure vehicles parking area have sufficient lighting is very important in crime prevention. This is done by evaluating an existing lighting system is to survey the area being illuminated to determine the light levels. Light levels are measured in foot candles (fc), or its metric equivalent, the lux (lx). To measure light levels accurately requires the use of a light-level meter. A suitable light level meter will have a range of at least 0.1 fc (10 lux) to 25 fc (250 lux). Light meter Amprobe Model LM-120, USA is being used for this purpose. Before beginning the light level survey, researcher sketch the area need to be surveyed. Researcher began the light survey at one end of the area; and moves forward diagonally and zigzags to ensure the area is covered evenly. The distance from one point to the other point is about 5 meters interval. Light meter was held in front and researcher ensured that it is not being blocked by any part of the body. Reading was taken and written down on the place of the sketch areas that indicates where the readings were taken. Researcher continues to take the readings throughout the entire area that is being surveyed. The survey area will depend on the size of the rest areas where the focus is at vehicle or trucks parking area. The area of coverage for RSA areas will be wider compared to Lay-by areas and at least 36 points reading were taken for RSA while at least 18 readings were taken for Lay-by areas.
British Standard 5489-9:1996 Road Lighting – Part 9: Code of practice for lighting for urban centres and public amenity areas was used as guidance as shown in Figure 4.61. This standard provides the guidance for the recommended standard of lighting for many different environmental circumstances, from busy roads and subsidiary routes to pedestrian town centres and cycle paths. The requirements for road lighting are covered extensively in European and British Standard particularly BS5489. This standard covers the lighting of public areas from amenity spaces to motorways. It is not possible to provide a full explanation of the Standards in this document therefore the following information or extracts are intended as a guide only.