Ronald Gibbons, a faculty member in the School of Architecture + Design and the Director for the Center for Infrastructure Based Safety Systems at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has been recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) with the IES Medal Award.

The IES Medal is awarded in recognition of meritorious technical achievement that has conspicuously furthered the profession, art, or knowledge of illuminating engineering. Recognized fields include engineering, design, applied illumination, optics, ophthalmology, lighting, research, or education.

Dr. Gibbons’ research on roadway and outdoor lighting was recognized for its significant benefits to the lighting industry. His visibility research and related road safety work has improved pedestrian and driver safety and in reality, has saved lives. From an energy efficiency standpoint his research and work with Adaptive Lighting Controls will save many millions of kW/h of energy while reducing light trespass impacts. Dr. Gibbons’ research has been of the highest of system value to the roadway and outdoor lighting industries as it is based on human factors testing. As well, he has taught education classes for lighting designers which has had great benefits to the lighting industry.

Additionally, Dr. Gibbons has developed an innovative system to measure and record lighting levels via a mobile measurements system mounted on a motor-vehicle. This measurement equipment has the potential to revolutionize the roadway lighting industry by allowing validation of system performance. It can also collect road lighting levels and compare collision data as has been undertaken as part of Dr. Gibbons’ recent research projects.