Understanding Visibility
Viewer position/circumstance
The orientation, elevation, and surrounding environment of the viewer. In places with a busier beachfront atmosphere (like boardwalks or restaurants), the turbines are less likely to be seen by observers.
Lighting
Contrast between the turbines and the sky during sunrise, day, and sunset. Typically, there is low contrast during the day since the turbines are painted white to blend in with the horizon.
Distance/curvature
How far the turbines are from a viewing point, and how the curvature of the earth may affect how much of a turbine is seen.
Atmosphere
Humidity and other weather conditions can have major effects on visibility.
Visibility on/off season
During summer, visibility usually only extends from 2-12 miles over the ocean. At the closest point, the project will be about 11.4 miles from shore. Visibility can also vary due to seasonal weather conditions. The colder air of winter months holds smaller amounts of moisture and humidity. Because of this it is easier for light to travel through the atmosphere, resulting in higher visibility. At most of these KOPs, there will be a lot more observers in the summer season compared to winter. During summer, visibility will be limited due to atmospheric conditions. Because of busier settings (like boardwalks and amusement parks) the focus will usually not be on the ocean.
ADLS & plane tracking
This system is used to track nearby planes and sense when one is close to the turbine farm. These lights only turn on when a plane is nearby the project sites.
The ADLS is a result of Atlantic Shores mitigation and minimization efforts. The lights are estimated to be on a total of 10.9 hours per year.
KOP Descriptions
Seaside Beach Park
This KOP is 39 miles from lease area 0499 and 19.3 miles from lease area 0549. According to the Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) study, even with concentrated viewing the turbines would be unnoticeable. The turbines would not be in most observers’ main view, since project 1 and 2 are located southwest of this KOP.
Beach Haven Borough
This KOP is 13.5 miles from lease area 0499 and 9.8 miles from lease area 0549. Under typical atmospheric conditions, the turbines will be visible but hard to see beyond the first row. Like Seaside Beach Park, the turbines are located southwest of the KOP, and will not be in most observer’s main view.
Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
This KOP is 11.4 miles from lease area 0499. According to the VIA study, the project will be most visible at this KOP. However, this may be reduced during summer days because of atmospheric conditions. Most days, the turbines will dominate the view along the horizon. Because of the busy viewer position (with casinos, amusement rides, and shops along the boardwalk), the observer’s main view may not be focused on the ocean.
Ocean City Wonderland Pier
This KOP is 17.2 miles from 0499. Similar to Beach Haven Borough, the turbines will be noticeable, but on most summer days hard to see. However, because of the viewer circumstance and busy boardwalk atmosphere, they won’t be in most viewers main field of vision.
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