Remote Monitoring of Urban Lighting Types and Energy Use

Challenge

The NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress wanted to develop a system that is capable of remotely monitoring the New York City skyline 24/7 year-round through all seasons.

Solution

MSV developed a system with air conditioned electronics, a pan and tilt scanning mechanism using a VNIR spectral camera capable of recording low light level hyperspectral data. The camera system has 1600-point spatial resolution and is collecting data via remote control from the top of one of the highest buildings in Brooklyn, looking towards the Manhattan skyline. Research areas include a focus on the distribution of lighting types and the estimate of energy use of the city. Results are reported in the published paper “A Hyperspectral Survey of New York City Lighting Technology.”