Towards the Human-Centered Lighting Evaluation and Control: An Overview

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing parameters and technologies, which could contribute to an evolution in lighting control systems based on a Human-Centered approach. In particular, the non-visual effects of light, mediated by intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells are defined, and several new metrics for evaluating luminous environments are introduced. For instance, new metrics include Equivalent Daylight Illuminance, Circadian Stimulus, and Equivalent Metabolic Rate, which are capable of considering the physiological impact of light on building occupants. An overview of Human Performance indicators is also presented, offering insights into the occupant's psychological and physiological state concerning to available natural and artificial light. Furthermore, the discussion focuses to the role of lighting systems components, including actuators, user interfaces, control algorithms, and the importance of Personal Environmental Control Systems considering adaptive control strategies grounded in user behavior. The implications summarized in this study highlight necessity to overcome traditional comfort assessment approaches based solely on illuminance measurements. Instead, the adoption of advanced metrics driven by physiological and psychological user responses, and the implementation of information on occupants' behavior, for user-personalized systems are recommended. This review also identifies several gaps in the current literature, such as the limited integration of implicit and explicit sensing technologies and proposes guidelines for future research directions in the field of user-centered lighting.