After-Dark Changes in the Useful Field of View During Walking: Implications for Urban Street Lighting

This study examines pedestrians’ gaze behaviour after dark and quantifies changes in the useful field of view (UFOV)—the region over which gaze and attention are deployed during walking. Using eye-tracking, we characterised the shape and extent of the UFOV in daytime and night-time conditions, and considered factors influencing the UFOV alongside the role of peripheral vision. At night, the UFOV contracted in a manner consistent with a tunnel-vision–like pattern: gaze allocation beyond 10° of visual angle was significantly reduced compared with daytime. These findings suggest that lighting strategies prioritising uniform horizontal illuminance may under-support tasks that depend on peripheral information after dark. We propose that a more effective spatial distribution of light—guided by the daytime UFOV—could improve pedestrian experience at night, particularly through greater emphasis on vertical illuminance on near- and mid-field features relevant to recognition, wayfinding, and reassurance. The results underscore the importance of considering vertical surfaces and the spatial distribution of light—not just average pavement levels—when designing street lighting.