Visual Performance Models in Lighting: A Historical Review and Future Directions

Visual performance (VP) models have played a foundational role in architectural lighting design, informing illuminance standards intended to support safety, efficiency, and task performance across diverse occupant populations. This paper provides a critical historical review of VP models, tracing their development from early retinal response research and threshold visibility functions to contemporary applications in lighting standards. Key physiological and perceptual factors, including retinal illuminance, contrast, task size, and observer characteristics such as age, are examined through landmark studies that shaped suprathreshold VP modeling. Attention is given to the evolution and adoption of the Relative Visual Performance (RVP) model, which remains central to current Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) illuminance recommendations. The review further synthesizes theory-based, applied, and human-centered experimental approaches, highlighting how VP research expanded to include reaction time, reading performance, chromatic contrast, spectral power distribution, mesopic vision, and virtual reality environments. Despite this extensive body of work, VP models have seen limited revision in response to advances in lighting technology, digital displays, and LED spectral control. Based on gaps identified in prior research, this paper proposes a future modeling framework using linear mixed-effects models to independently assess and assign weights to factors influencing VP. Such an approach may support updated illuminance standards better aligned with modern lighting conditions, occupant needs, and energy efficiency goals.