We have developed a two-measure system for evaluating light sources' color rendition that builds upon conceptual progress of numerous researchers over the last two decades. The system quantifies the color fidelity and color gamut (change in object chroma) of a light source in comparison to a reference illuminant. The calculations are based on a newly developed set of reflectance data from real samples uniformly distributed in color space (thereby fairly representing all colors) and in wavelength space (thereby precluding artificial optimization of the color rendition scores by spectral engineering). The color fidelity score R(f) is an improved version of the CIE color rendering index. The color gamut score R(g) is an improved version of the Gamut Area Index. In combination, they provide two complementary assessments to guide the optimization of future light sources. This method summarizes the findings of the Color Metric Task Group of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES). It is adopted in the upcoming IES TM-30-2015, and is proposed for consideration with the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

An experiment was conducted to evaluate how subjective impressions of a light source’s colour quality depend upon the details of the shifts it causes in the colour appearance of illuminated objects. Twenty-eight participants each evaluated 26 lighting conditions in a 3.1 m by 3.7 m room filled with objects selected to cover a range of hue, saturation, and lightness. IES TM-30-15 Fidelity Index ( Rf) values ranged from 64 to 93, IES TM-30 Gamut Index ( Rg) values ranging from 79 to 117, and IES TM-30 red chroma shift ( Rcs,h1) values ranging from −19% to 26%. All lighting conditions had the same nominal illuminance and chromaticity. Participants were asked to rate each condition on eight point scales for saturated–dull, normal–shifted, and like–dislike, as well as classifying the condition as one of saturated, dull, normal, or shifted. The findings suggest that gamut shape is more important than average gamut area for modeling human preference, with red playing a more important role than other hues. Average fidelity alone is a weak predictor of human perception, especially CIE Ra. Nine of the top 12 rated products had a CIE Ra value of 73 or less, which indicates that the criteria of CIE Ra ≥ 80 may be excluding many preferred light sources.

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Twenty-two measures of color rendition have been reviewed and summarized. Each measure was computed for 401 illuminants comprising incandescent, light-emitting diode (LED) -phosphor, LED-mixed, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), and theoretical illuminants. A multidimensional scaling analysis (Matrix Stress = 0.0731, R(2) = 0.976) illustrates that the 22 measures cluster into three neighborhoods in a two-dimensional space, where the dimensions relate to color discrimination and color preference. When just two measures are used to characterize overall color rendition, the most information can be conveyed if one is a reference-based measure that is consistent with the concept of color fidelity or quality (e.g., Q(a)) and the other is a measure of relative gamut (e.g., Q(g)).

Architectural lighting has potent biological effects but applied lighting practices that capitalize on this potential have been limited. In this review, we endeavor to consolidate and synthesize key references that will be useful for lighting professionals, with the goal of supporting knowledge translation into pragmatic lighting strategies. Specifically, we explain relevant terminology, outline basic concepts, identify key references, provide a balanced overview of the current state of knowledge, and highlight important remaining questions. We summarize the physiological effects of light on human health and well-being, including a description of the processes underlying the photic regulation of circadian, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral functions. We review seminal work elucidating the elements mediating the potency of light for these physiological responses, with specific attention to factors critical for interpreting those findings. In parallel, we explain and endorse melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (E D65 v;mel ) as the preferred measure to quantify the biological potency of light. Ultimately, while future studies are necessary to further facilitate the translation of laboratory knowledge to domestic and workplace settings, the immediate potential for applied lighting to better support human health is clear. Aiming for integrative lighting solutions that have biologically high potency light during the day and low potency during the night is perhaps the most immediate improvement to be made in order to better support applications for humans.