Is it really dark in Maplewood?

Seriously … Is it me or is it extremely dark in Maplewood? As in very limited lighting from streetlights … I've wondered this for some time now because I have such a hard time seeing pedestrians, house numbers, street signs, etc.

I'm not ancient (regardless of the commentary of my children), but it really could be me.

Your thoughts?

I’ve thought so since moving here, but chalked it up to a few decades of living under city lights.

It is dark.   Even Wyoming Avenue is dark and it has some streetlights.  Plus there are very light or nearly non-existent road markings.  Good news, just like we still pump our own gas, we will never get self driving cars because they need bright road markings.  

See the movie   Dark City.........1998

Let's turn this around.  We do not have as much light pollution as many other towns.

South Orange is darker.

Both towns are extremely dark at night.  I think it's because they want the streets to be "atmospheric" in some way.  In reality what it means is that you can't see anything.  When I drive at night here I'm constantly afraid I'll hit a pedestrian. I often try to stick to the better lit roads.    

What towns are you comparing to Maplewood?

Jaytee said:
South Orange is darker.

 But quaint.

It is dark.  A recent study of intersections along four major roadways:  Wyoming, Ridgewood, Prospect, and Burnett Avenue found that the vast majority of these intersections had illumination below levels required for motorists to see pedestrians in the marked crosswalks clearly.  The town is presently handing out reflective arm bands and blinkers (they are available at town hall) that concerned pedestrians can wear when the venture out on a dark evening.  Plans are underway to see if illumination, at least on the roadways listed above, can be improved.  The anti-light pollution group won't like it; but, pedestrian safety should trump in this case.  

There have been discussions about arranging for local merchants to sell reflective vests to those who want them. This would work in areas where there is enough light to reflect.  Scout troops have offered to use phosphorescent paint to place house numbers on the curbs as a fundraiser.  This only works until the curb gets covered by snow or leaves or until the paint fades, whichever comes first. Homeowners are encouraged to provide porch lighting on a timer or motion detector.  This can help with the long dark stretches between street lights.

In summary, this is a well recognized problem that is being chipped away at gradually but may take awhile to resolve.  In the interim, I carry a flashlight when I go out at night and urge others to do the same. 

Let's light this town up like a Christmas tree!!!  

But seriously.... they don't need to light up entire streets, just some strategic intersections.  

We also need street signs that actually reflect headlights.  So many in this town are unreadable.

I wish people would leave their porch lights on at night, at least until bedtime or 10pm or so. Walking the dog after 6pm is a dark and spooky experience. Having porch lights on changes the atmosphere of the whole street.

I also wish people would get house numbers that are lighted and visible from the street. It's too hard to pick up swap items after dark.

I would say that it isn't any darker than it's been in the last 40 or so years.  But I grew up here, so maybe I'm just used to it.

Several years ago PSE&G had a campaign and handed out 100w light bulbs for front porch lights.  I think it was called "one light, every night".  If each home had a front light on after sunset it would make a big difference.

mrincredible said:
What towns are you comparing to Maplewood?

 I'm comparing with every place I've ever lived, a list that includes several suburban situations, big city urban,small city, and rural small town. I've also noticed that south of Springfield in Maplewood is lit more than north of Springfield. Not sure what to make of that.

… As for light pollution … … … I'm pretty sure there's a lot of territory between where we are now and light pollution. I'm no fan of light pollution, but I wonder if we're sacrificing too much safety in the name of ambience.

For broadened perspective, a drive up Blanchard Rd. In South Orange is recommended.

At night.

vdfam said:

mrincredible said:
What towns are you comparing to Maplewood?

 I'm comparing with every place I've ever lived, a list that includes several suburban situations, big city urban,small city, and rural small town. I've also noticed that south of Springfield in Maplewood is lit more than north of Springfield. Not sure what to make of that.
… As for light pollution … … … I'm pretty sure there's a lot of territory between where we are now and light pollution. I'm no fan of light pollution, but I wonder if we're sacrificing too much safety in the name of ambience.

Houses are closer together south of Springfield Avenue (1-R-2 zoning) than in most other parts of town (1-R-5 or 1-R-7).  More houses per acre = more porch lights per acre on at night = more light after dark.

Three recommendations gleaned from the thread. Crosswalk/intersections need more or better lighting. Street signage needs to be improved. At night, people need to wear clothing that is visible.

I'm not sure that I have ever before seen or heard the term "light pollution".

I've been hearing about it for a long time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution?wprov=sfla1

Sigh...

Heaven forbid our kids actually be able to see more than 5 stars.

Times Square at night is not the optimum lighting level for the entire planet.

Klinker said:
Sigh...
Heaven forbid our kids actually be able to see more than 5 stars.
Times Square at night is not the optimum lighting level for the entire planet.

Heaven forbid our motorists are able to see pedestrians in crosswalks when they are more than 5 inches away.  The optimum lighting level is one that ensures pedestrian safety. 

joan_crystal said:

Klinker said:
Sigh...
Heaven forbid our kids actually be able to see more than 5 stars.
Times Square at night is not the optimum lighting level for the entire planet.

Heaven forbid our motorists are able to see pedestrians in crosswalks when they are more than 5 inches away.  The optimum lighting level is one that ensures pedestrian safety. 

 I have lived in cities with way less light pollution than MAPSO and, by and large, the pedestrians have survived.  I think views on this subject in Northern NJ are distorted by the fact that many residents grew up in the place with the worst light pollution in North America.

Klinker said:

 I have lived in cities with way less light pollution than MAPSO and, by and large, the pedestrians have survived.  I think views on this subject in Northern NJ are distorted by the fact that many residents grew up in the place with the worst light pollution in North America.

I grew up in one of the first tract houses built on a former farm in Delaware mushroom country. This is how they cultivate mushrooms: In the dark.

I was back there this weekend. It wasn’t Maplewood dark.

DaveSchmidt said:

Klinker said:

 I have lived in cities with way less light pollution than MAPSO and, by and large, the pedestrians have survived.  I think views on this subject in Northern NJ are distorted by the fact that many residents grew up in the place with the worst light pollution in North America.

I grew up in one of the first tract houses built on a former farm in Delaware mushroom country. This is how they cultivate mushrooms: In the dark.
I was back there this weekend. It wasn’t Maplewood dark.

 Some people on another thread were talking about how marijuana farms stink but you haven't smelled true stink until you get a good whiff of a mushroom farm (I am speaking of the ones I have visited in CA, the Delaware ones may be different)

Klinker said:

 Some people on another thread were talking about how marijuana farms stink but you haven't smelled true stink until you get a good whiff of a mushroom farm (I am speaking of the ones I have visited in CA, the Delaware ones may be different)

 You grow up with it, it smells like ambrosia.

Heaven forbid our motorists are able to see pedestrians in crosswalks when they are more than 5 inches away.  The optimum lighting level is one that ensures pedestrian safety. 

 The optimum driving speed is one that ensures pedestrian safety

Klinker said:
Sigh...
Heaven forbid our kids actually be able to see more than 5 stars.
Times Square at night is not the optimum lighting level for the entire planet.

 I love how blog & social media logic demands we go from "Is it dark in Maplewood?" to "It's this or Times Square lighting" and light pollution, as if one more lumen means the stars are blotted out, we live in Times Square, and unbearable light pollution has befallen us.

And … It's not the porch lights making my side of Springfield lighter, but street lights that burn brighter.

I'm so glad to hear Maplewood's overly dark streets are under discussion.  I've always felt nervous walking the dog at night--not enough neighbors leave their porch lights on.  As for driving, it is difficult to see pedestrians, and I've had a few near misses.  I have to say, although I'm a Maplewood resident, I love the gas lights in South Orange.  They don't illuminate much, but make SO the more atmospherically dark of the two towns.  I'm all for ambiance in MAPSO/SOMA, but agree with others that safety should come first.