System, device and methods for measuring light intensity of street lighting and environmental light pollution

Abstract

A light intensity monitoring system, a light intensity monitor and a method for monitoring light intensity the light intensity monitor attached to a vehicle roof. The light intensity monitor includes light sensors which measure light intensity at a top wall and two sidewalls and records the location of the vehicle at precise time intervals using a global positioning sensor. A microcontroller within the monitor compiles the measured data into communications packets, which include light intensity measurements and the corresponding vehicle location for each measurement period. These packets are then wirelessly transmitted to a remote computing device using either a wireless network communications unit or a dual-mode near-field communications unit. The remote device receives the data and utilizes a mapping application to display the various light intensity levels, expressed in lux, with the location of the measurement. The remote device generates a time series compliance and an environmental light pollution report.