Stricter regulations for dimming excessive advertisement luminosity in Bangkok's cityscape.
In a move aimed at enhancing urban comfort and ensuring road safety, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council has approved a draft regulation for illuminated billboards, proposed by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Wednesday. The new regulations set strict limits on billboard brightness, addressing a significant source of distraction and safety concerns in the city.
The key specifics of the new regulations are as follows:
- During daytime (7 am to 7 pm), billboards must not exceed 5,000 candelas per square meter. - During nighttime (7 pm to 7 am), the cap is reduced to 500 candelas per square meter.
These caps are designed to reduce glare that can cause discomfort to residents and pose hazards to drivers. According to Governor Sittipunt, overly bright billboards have been a source of concern, seriously bothering people and potentially posing risks to drivers.
The regulations also encourage businesses to invest in more eye-friendly outdoor advertising, with the goal of promoting a more pleasant urban environment. A committee has been formed by the council to scrutinize the draft regulation before a final vote.
The new regulations apply to both existing and new illuminated signs, including LED ads attached to buildings, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the issue. The initiative follows concerns about the lack of clear legal standards on acceptable brightness levels and aims to establish a measurable, enforceable threshold to protect public health and road safety.
[1] The Nation Thailand: "Bangkok to limit billboard brightness to reduce glare and improve road safety" [2] Bangkok Post: "Bright billboards to be dimmed in new regulation" [3] Khaosod English: "Bangkok to cap billboard brightness to reduce glare, improve road safety" [4] Thai PBS World: "Bangkok to limit billboard brightness to address safety concerns" [5] The Standard: "Bangkok to cap billboard brightness to reduce glare and improve road safety"
Science plays a crucial role in the formulation of these new billboard regulations, as it offers insights into the potential effects of glare on health-and-wellness. This focus on reducing glare can lead to a more comfortable living environment and alleviate potential distractions for drivers, enhancing road safety. By setting measurable, enforceable threshold for billboard brightness, authorities are keen to protect public health and well-being.
