Numerical Modelling and Dynamic Evaluation of Building Glass Curtain Wall-Reflected Glare Pollution for Road Vehicle Drivers

Ruichen Peng, Jili Zhang () and Yanli Han
Additional contact information
Ruichen Peng: School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Jili Zhang: School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
Yanli Han: School of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-37

Abstract: To promote sustainable development in urban environments, minimising the reflected light pollution from glass curtain walls is critical. This study investigates numerical evaluation methods for assessing the impact of curtain wall-reflected light on road traffic light pollution. While existing research focuses on indoor glare and static target pollution, limited attention has been given to the dynamic impacts on moving traffic participants. This research evaluates light pollution (discomfort glare) induced by triple-layer hollow glass curtain walls in green buildings. A mathematical model predicting the solar reflection characteristics (reflectivity and brightness) was established using optical equations, with the accuracy verified through field experiments and numerical simulations. Subsequently, a driver discomfort glare (DDG) evaluation model was developed, incorporating the dynamic relationships between reflected light sources and drivers, including relative position variations, vertical eye illumination, and correlations between sightlines, driving speed, and road terrain. A numerical simulation system was implemented using Rhino’s Ladybug + Honeybee tools, demonstrated through a case analysis of high-rise buildings in Dalian. The system simulated glare effects under sunny/snowy conditions while examining thickness-related variations. The results revealed significant correlations between the glass thickness, weather conditions, and discomfort glare intensity. The proposed DDG model and simulation approach offer practical tools for assessing dynamic light pollution impacts, supporting the theoretical evaluation of outdoor light environments in green buildings. This methodology provides an effective framework for analysing the moving-target light pollution from architectural reflections, advancing sustainable urban design strategies.

Keywords: glass curtain wall; solar reflection light pollution; driver’s discomfort glare evaluating model; numerical simulation system; light pollution mitigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/9/3823/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/9/3823/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:3823-:d:1641080

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().