Blog Description - A collection of media articles and tweets highlighting 1) the dangers of sun glare while driving, 2) the issue of shadowing due to urban development, and 3) random fun sun facts.

Blog Purpose and Disclaimer - This blog compiles and shares public interest stories in an effort to educate and raise awareness. Sources, credits and links are provided for articles and images, and it is my belief that this blog complies with the fair dealing exception in Canada's Copyright Act. However, if you wish your item removed, simply ask.

Cheers, Ralph Bouwmeester

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Sun Glare and Traffic Safety – November 2017

How many more times do we have to have a transport truck slam into slowing traffic before something is done?

Do transport trucks not have forward collision warning systems?? If not, they should be mandatory.


Vision Zero Street Team :: City of Edmonton https://t.co/z1L6lknrAn via @cityofedmonton

Days are getting shorter and visibility is decreasing. Great article about how to combat "The Glare" and "The Dark".


End of Daylight Saving Time means increased driving danger https://t.co/a3fNuZZSVi via @salinapost

Most articles, including this one, focus on sleep deprivation and drowsy driving. Yes, changes in sun position and sun glare are briefly mentioned, yet I believe this is a vastly overlooked contributor to crashes after the time change.


Time change increases dangerous driving https://t.co/u0yyBHFf9k via @KSNNews @AAguilarKSN

Sun glare during the morning and afternoon commutes are discussed. As is early darkness and the increased danger to pedestrians.




Sun glare in the morning >

AAA: Clock change equals a different commute come Monday via Times Leader https://t.co/w3zaWqLH9R

Warnings about sun glare in the morning and darkness on the way home.


 


Renewed call for warning lights after rail death via Haslemere Herald https://t.co/9KL67uBN7q

Senior out walking his dog may not have seen oncoming train due to low sun glare.




The 3 keys to defensive driving... anticipate, anticipate, anticipate.

RT @SunPosition: Sun glare tough in late stages at @PhoenixRaceway according to @JimmieJohnson - https://t.co/yU4J1P1s60









Cheers, Ralph

Miscellaneous Sun and Shadow Items – November 2017

Blinded by the light? Sun blamed for Charlie Hall eclipses via Racing Post

Low sun glare blamed for two experienced chasers failing to finish the 2017 Charlie Hall steeplechase.

https://t.co/PV8Wj31lRv


Interesting facts about the sunrise you probably never knew via MSN Weather

Sunrise occurs at the moment when the sun’s top edge touches the horizon.

Read on for more…

https://t.co/uOPo8z200U


This could/should have been anticipated when @dallascowboys AT&T Stadium was designed. The 'technology' was there then to prevent the current sun glare problem https://t.co/4NKVpmcHOQ

Sun glare at AT&T Stadium costs Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis an interception https://t.co/aQICJs6HdX pic.twitter.com/J9NnhMvh45

After losing ball in sun, Cowboys' Dez Bryant tells critical fans to 'go to hell' https://t.co/5rP9tBbNSb via @usatoday @dallascowboys

Jerry Jones Says No To Curtains At AT&T Stadium In The Future  via CBS Dallas / Fort Worth https://t.co/2tqKpbffDQ

Jones says they absolutely thought about the positioning of the sun relative to the field when they built the stadium in Arlington via https://t.co/9CY73cwk5V

They must have expected to play only on cloudy days.


Cheers, Ralph

Sun and Shade in Urban Development–November 2017

Updated Toronto Green Standard adopted for new buildings via Construction Canada https://t.co/bDM8yAwiGp

The new green standards pave the way for near zero emissions for new buildings by 2030.


In our survey, +85% of people feel that losing up to 1 hour of sun per day due to development is reasonable. What do you think?

Take our survey…

https://t.co/UxiuYFIR3S


This proposed building, near Bloor and St. George Streets in Toronto, has been designed to minimize shadows on nearby Taddle Creek Park.  The article explains how the building’s twisting shape reduces shadowing.




Cheers, Ralph

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Sun Glare at AT&T Stadium

The interception was not to be.  Lost in the sun.  Like a Japanese Zero.




They say the stadium was built in the wrong direction, east-west instead of north-south.  Oops.

Night games.  Problem solved.





Cheers, Ralph

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Sun Glare While Driving – October 2017

The following relate to the dangers of sun glare while driving, and traffic safety in general. They were derived from our twitter feed @SunPosition and include a brief synopsis of the news story and a link to the original article.


One person injured in Keene crash today via @keene_sentinel

7:45 AM crash.

Early morning sun glare caused one vehicle to sideswipe another at the intersection of Route 12 and Wyman Road in Keene NH.

https://t.co/Lhc5ApR32a


Blinding sun contributes to N. Cornwall crash via Lebanon Daily News

Westbound vehicle crashed at 5:42 PM.

A line of stopped vehicles was rear-ended by a westbound car on Wilhelm Avenue in North Cornwall Township PA.  Sun glare was blamed for the 5:42 PM crash.

https://t.co/Zefixx8PlR


October Is Now The Second Deadliest Month On The Roadway. Why?  via Alexandria News

This deviates from the pattern of the past 30 years or so.  With the sun  rising and setting along east-west streets, commuters face the sun during either their morning or evening commutes in many cities.  Not that this is any different from what is was 30 years ago.

There are a lot of interesting crash stats in this article.

https://t.co/4wWnoVrxKz


Patches of dark shade and bright sun >

NHP identifies Carson City man in fatal pedestrian accident  via Carson Now

Struck by eastbound vehicle at 7:30 AM .

An eastbound food truck struck and killed a pedestrian near the intersection of Long and State Streets in Carson City NV. Sun glare is thought to have contributed to the 7:30 AM collision.

https://t.co/SBFyANJCAg


Cycling: 'Light up' your bicycle this fall season  via NorthJersey.com

Changing sun and weather conditions can affect rider safety during the Fall. Your after work ride may now be in the dark; your morning ride might be during low sun conditions when it may be difficult for drivers to see you.

https://t.co/sQOkNa8iJu


Speed and sun glare being looked at >

Woman and child seriously injured in southwest Calgary crash via CBC News

Struck by eastbound vehicle at 9:00 AM.

Sun glare is one of the factors being looked at after a grandmother and her 3-year-old granddaughter were struck and seriously injured in SW Calgary. 

https://t.co/cUpfuqd9Qj


Driver said sun glare was cause >

Police investigate 3-way crash on Boulevard  via @6abc

A cab driver is alleged to have run a red light causing a chain reaction collision on Roosevelt Boulevard at Front Street in North Philadelphia.  The driver said sun glare was the cause.  

https://t.co/gdIWKK1IdG


Sun glare doesn't excuse hit and run >

Police Seek Driver in Apparent Hit and Run  via East Hampton Star

Sun glare with pedestrian in shade.

A seriously injured senior was found on Farm Lane in East Hampton, an apparent victim of hit and run.  A neighbour said that sun glare was very bad around the curve where the victim was hit and that the victim may have been in shade from foliage. Sun glare was noted the following day at around the same time.

https://t.co/sftCsMoQyy


Sun glare cited as cause >

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle Near Medford Acme  via Pine Barrens Tribune

Left turn + sun glare.

An elderly pedestrian, crossing Jennings Road in Medford NJ, was struck by a left-turning car coming out of a parking lot.  The driver said that sun glare prevented him from seeing the pedestrian.

https://t.co/Ce43gG6xQ2


Drivers, extra caution needed at this time of year >

Pedestrian Hit by Car in Reno NV  via KTVN-TV

Early morning collision - 7:15 AM.

Driver said he couldn’t see pedestrian due to sun  glare.

https://t.co/xD1ySgJzJG "


Motorists urged to be alert, deer mating season gets underway, days get shorter  via @LakewoodScoop

Apparently there are 1000’s of deer/vehicle collisions in New Jersey each year.  Most occur during the fall mating season, and activity peaks during the early morning and around sunset – when driving visibility may be poor due to sun glare.

https://t.co/I5Zd2Rt7D6


Be aware. Be prepared. sun glare at this time of year can be deadly.

Aware of the glare. #roadsafety #driving #sunglare #AwareOfTheGlare


Great article, with stats, on sun glare and driving >

Sun glare warning to Hampshire drivers  via Daily Echo

A survey of over 9000 drivers has shown that a certain stretch of the M27 is one of the worst roads in the South of England for sun glare during rush hour. 

Keep sunglasses handy.

https://t.co/l4kisCLqIs


Sunrise and sunset are now during rush-hour. #AwareOfTheGlare


Collision at Tower Hill, sun glare a factor for elderly man  via @WboolStandard

Westbound at 6:45 PM.  Sun glare after cresting a hill.

Stopped and waiting to turn left off Princes Highway into the Tower Hill State Game Reserve in Victoria (Australia), Canadian tourist was hit from behind by driver claiming sun glare.after cresting a hill.

https://t.co/JbyJy6Wkc0


Police: Sun glare causes crash involving truck, school bus in Waterville  via centralmaine.com

8:00 AM collision.

A box truck slammed into the back of a stopped school bus picking up students.  Police acknowledged that visibility was very difficult due to sun glare.

https://t.co/L8lvGiqxyM


Wow, interesting >

New York State Senator George Latimer in Serious Undisclosed Car Crash  via Talk of the Sound

Westbound 5:00 PM.

Latimer allegedly ran a red light on Wilmot Road in New Rochelle near the Scarsdale border and struck another vehicle.  He claimed he couldn’t see the colour of the light due to sun glare.  The author of the article (Robert Cox) questions the validity of the claim.

https://t.co/lCpg9W0aMf


@Ari_Traffic @norm And to make matters worse, sunrise and sunset are during rush hour now.

Why wearing sunglasses in the car can help cut the risks of winter driving  via Independent.ie

Low sun corresponds to commute times at this time of year and renders visors pretty much useless.  This can make for dangerous conditions when rounding a corner and is worsened if the road is wet.

Read full article (link below) for tips on safe driving at this time of year.

https://t.co/haiLsfU8Ei



RT @SF_KevinG:  Sun in your eyes during the morning & evening commutes lately? That's a seasonal road hazard. RT @SunPosition


https://t.co/7RXAtbdYSy


Lucky driver >

Car collides with backhoe in Hingham  via The Patriot Ledger

Turned onto eastbound street at 8:15 AM.

A car turned right onto eastbound Beal Street in Hingham MA and struck a backhoe stopped on the road. The driver didn’t see the backhoe due to sun glare.

https://t.co/twJ99i2Lin


Police proactively issued sun glare warning >

Kudos to UMass Police >

Student critical after struck by car  via @MDCollegian

Westbound at 5:48 PM.

Despite the police having issued a warning via flyers about sun glare in the late afternoon,  a UMass student was struck by car while crossing Eastman Lane in Amherst MA

https://t.co/r6S9NT70K3


Driver error, sun glare appear to be factors >

Manchester crash hospitalizes two  via @AsburyParkPress

Left turn + sun glare.

A vehicle driving west on Route 70 in Manchester NJ turned left onto Manchester Boulevard in front of an oncoming vehicle and collided with it. Police believe sun glare contributed to the crash.

https://t.co/NVuUXFzZGn


Sun glare thought to be cause >

Six-car crash involves Semmes Fire-Rescue truck  via mynbc15.com

7:00 AM crash.

A 3-car crash in Wilmer AL was being protected by a fire truck which was in turn struck by two more vehicles. A witness believed sun glare was the cause.

https://t.co/MkxzRP3nOF


Cheers, Ralph

Sun/Shade & Urban Development – October 2017

The following relate to urban development and urban design in general, and to specific projects with sun/shade issues in particular. They were derived from our twitter feed @SunPosition and include a brief synopsis of the news story and a link to the original article.


Take our Survey: How Important To You Is Sunshine?... https://t.co/M7OXNehQGf

File:2016-10 Maple tree autumn Quebec.jpg

Photo: By 0x010C (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons


Albion proposes new step design for downtown Oak Park tower via Chicago Tribune

Albion Residential have re-designed their proposed building at 1000 Lake St. in an effort to obtain approval.  Building will be stepped to reduce shadow impacts on Austin Gardens park to the north.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Chicago_sunrise_1.jpg

Photo: By Daniel Schwen (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

https://t.co/pK0Z1Lr2TX


Old South Church puts a $19 million price on sunlight  via @BostonGlobe

The historic 142-year-old Copley Square church wants $19M from developer Boston Properties as compensation for shadows from a planned tower at Back Bay Station.  The fear is that the shade will potentially cause moisture damage to its masonry and darken its stained-glass windows.

File:Old South Church, Boston, Mass, by Soule, John P., 1827-1904 2.jpg

Photo: By Soule, John P., 1827-1904 -- Photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

https://t.co/U4EQ6ExEp6


Developers battle minister over shade in city park via @smh

Melbourne developer Salta Properties and Malaysian developer Asia One plan to appeal a decision by the Victorian Planning Minister to reduce the height of their proposed tower in an effort to mitigate shadowing on a riverside park.

File:Melbourne pedestrian bridge birrarung marr.jpg

Photo: By Drastic draper (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Melbourne_pedestrian_bridge_birrarung_marr.jpg

https://t.co/MahDqByA8s


OPINION: Cast a Giant Shadow?  via WEHOville

The “Sunset Tower”, at 9034 Sunset Boulevard, is the latest hotel proposed for the Sunset Strip.  It is proposed at 19 storeys, almost 200’ tall, while the permitted height is 60’, about 6 storeys.

Based on the comments, there is not much public concern about shadowing.

Sunset Tower, 8358 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood 2370.jpg

Photo: By MikeJiroch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35513419

https://t.co/kbn2MqaDfz


Pitched battle in Dunbar Ryerson United Church (45th and Yew) rezoning?  via @CityHallWchVAN

Affordable housing advocates vs. community residents.  Concerns include shadow impacts on homes in this Vancouver neighbourhood.

File:Vancouver full moon.jpg

Photo: Thom Quine, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

https://t.co/OA2TEGhDKy


Do homeowners have a right to light on their solar panels? via @lloydalter

Toronto City councillor Joe Mihevc has asked City staff for a report on residents’ “right to sunlight” as it relates to solar panel installations affected by proposed developments. 

Note: The principle of the “right to light” in Canada was lost in a 1880 court case.

File:Fußballplatz Freibad von Großarl.JPG

Photo: By Usien (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

https://t.co/bs1OvDTWI0


Ladner Trunk Road townhouse proposal to proceed despite objections via @DeltaOptimist

20 townhouses and four garden apartments have been approved by Delta council despite objections from area residents.  A shadow study was produced.

Photo: By CanucksWhitecaps - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41073333

https://t.co/WSwzWUTI5u


Cheers, Ralph

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Sunrise and Sunset Times - November 2017

Sample sunrise/sunset tables for November 2017 have been posted. The tables include the times of rise and set as well as the time of solar noon and the total number of daylight hours for each day of the month.  Note: All times are given in Standard Time; adjust for Daylight Saving (Summer) Time if in effect.

The sample tables are updated each month and include:
Canada - Barrie, Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg
USA - Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco
Middle East - Baghdad, Kabul, Kuwait City

   
Click here to view or print the samples or to order a free table for your location.

Cheers, Ralph

Thursday, October 26, 2017

2017 Halloween Sunset Times

CANADA 

Calgary AB 6:11 p.m. MDT
Charlottetown PEI 5:59 p.m. ADT
Edmonton AB 6:02 p.m. MDT
Halifax NS 6:04 p.m. ADT
Ottawa ON 5:51 p.m. EDT
Quebec City PQ 5:30 p.m. EDT
Regina SK 5:35 p.m. CST*
St. John NB 6:13 p.m. ADT
St. John's NL 5:45 p.m. NDT
Sault Ste. Marie ON 6:23 p.m. EDT
Toronto ON 6:09 p.m. EDT
Vancouver BC 5:52 p.m. PDT
Winnipeg MB 6:07 p.m. CDT

* no Daylight Time observed in SK


 

USA

Chicago IL 5:46 p.m. CDT
Denver CO 5:59 p.m. MDT
Houston TX 6:35 p.m. CDT
Miami FL 6:40 p.m. EDT
New York City NY 5:53 p.m. EDT
San Diego CA 5:58 p.m. PDT
San Francisco CA 6:12 p.m. PDT

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Torontohenge October 2017– Best Photo Ops

The last Torontohenge of 2017 is coming up…

Torontohenge is the name given for the phenomenon that occurs when the sun rises or sets in line with Toronto's major east-west streets downtown, giving photographers a great opportunity to capture the sun as its top edge grazes the horizon between the canyon walls of buildings on either side of the street. 


Photo: By Sevtibidou (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Although Torontohenge technically falls on the dates given below for 2017, great photos can be taken for about a week before the August and October dates and a week after the February and April dates as the sun hovers directly above the street.  Not great for driving, but quite a sight just the same.

Best Photo Ops in October
In October, great photo ops will occur before the 25th.  For example, the sun will cross, and be perched above, the street at about 6:12 PM on the 21st and 6:15 PM on the 23rd.
In a nutshell, there will be opportunities for great photos between now and the official Torontohenge date of October 25th.

The Torontohenge dates for 2017 are:

Sunrise Sunset
Feb 15           5:48 PM
Apr 19      6:28 AM
Aug 23      6:31 AM
Oct 25           6:18 PM

Cheers, Ralph








Saturday, August 12, 2017

Torontohenge August 2017– Best Photo Ops

Torontohenge is the name given for the phenomenon that occurs when the sun rises or sets in line with Toronto's major east-west streets downtown, giving photographers a great opportunity to capture the sun as its top edge grazes the horizon between the canyon walls of buildings on either side of the street. 



Photo: By Sevtibidou (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Although Torontohenge technically falls on the dates given below for 2017, great photos can be taken for about a week before the August and October dates and a week after the February and April dates as the sun hovers directly above the street.  Not great for driving, but quite a sight just the same.

Best Photo Ops in August

In August, the best photo ops will occur before the 23rd.  For example, on the 22nd the sun will break loose from the horizon at about 6:33 AM and sit fully above the street. 

Similarly, the rising sun will cross the street and be fully perched above it at about 6:35 AM on the 21st, 6:37 AM on the 20th, 6:38 AM on the 19th, etc.

On August 16th, a full week before Torontohenge, the sun will cross the street at about 6:43 AM at a height of about 2.5 degrees above the horizon (i.e. about the width of your thumb at arm’s length).
Tomorrow morning, August 13th, the sun will cross at about 6:47 AM at a height of about 3.8 degrees.

In a nutshell, there will be many opportunities for great photos between now and the official Torontohenge date of August 23rd.

The Torontohenge dates for 2017 are:

Sunrise Sunset
Feb 15           5:48 PM
Apr 19      6:28 AM
Aug 23      6:31 AM
Oct 25           6:18 PM


Cheers, Ralph











Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Solar event visible across Canada on July 1st - Canada 150

Join fellow Canadians from sea to sea to sea on July 1, 2017, by watching the sun cross the meridian through Province House, the birthplace of Canada.



ProvinceHousephoto source: Parks Canada

Province House National Historic Site

"The story of Canada as a confederation began in this historic Charlottetown building. In September 1864, Province House was the scene of the first conference on colonial union. Delegates from the colonies of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada met in the legislative council chamber to begin discussions, which led to confederation in 1867." (Source: Parks Canada)

Province House, a National Historic Site operated by Parks Canada, is the official birthplace of Canada.  Province House is a Charlottetown landmark.

On July 1, 2017, Canada celebrates its 150th birthday.  At 1:16 PM Atlantic Daylight Time, the sun passes directly over Province House - more specifically, the sun crosses the meridian that runs through it.  Solar Noon.  High Noon.  A spotlight shining over Canada's birthplace that can be seen by Canadians from sea to sea to sea.

Join other Canadians celebrating Canada 150 by observing the sun for a moment as it lines up with Province House.  Let this moment unite us all.

Below are the local times in each of Canada's time zones at which to observe the sun as it
crosses the meridian that runs through Province House on July 1st, 2017. 

Take a moment, have a peek, and know that the sun is marking the spot of Canada's birth.


Local Viewing Times for Solar Noon over Province House

Newfoundland Daylight Time (NDT) 1:46 PM
Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT) 1:16 PM
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 12:16 PM
Central Daylight Time (CDT) 11:16 AM
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) 10:16 AM
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) 9:16 AM


CanadaSummerTimesZonesmap source: National Research Council Canada

Happy Canada 150 Day!


Cheers, Ralph

Friday, February 10, 2017

Torontohenge 2017

Torontohenge is the name given for the phenomenon that occurs when the sun rises or sets in line with Toronto's major east-west streets downtown, giving photographers a great opportunity to capture the sun as it perches on the horizon between the canyon walls of buildings on either side of the street. 

Although Torontohenge technically falls on the dates given below for 2017, great photos can be taken for about a week before the August and October dates and a week after the February and April dates as the sun hovers directly above the street.  Not great for driving, but quite a sight just the same.
The Torontohenge dates for 2017 are:

Sunrise Sunset
Feb 15           5:48 PM
Apr 19      6:28 AM
Aug 23      6:31 AM
Oct 25           6:18 PM
Cheers, Ralph