Street lighting is a critical component of the public infrastructure. It ensures nighttime visibility for vehicles, pedestrians, and road safety. Lighting design and fixture efficiency are crucial for creating cost-effective lighting. They play a vital role in high-quality street lighting. View more of the design considerations for street lights.
What is Street Lighting?
Street lighting comprises electrically powered luminaires mounted on poles. It illuminates urban and rural roadways at night. It ensures adequate visibility for pedestrians and vehicles.
Importance of Street Lighting
Aside from promoting commercial activity in the evenings, adequate street lighting is essential for the following reasons:
- Improving drivers’ visual perceptions to ensure traffic safety
- Increasing the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists in low-light conditions
- Providing a sense of personal security for nighttime public activities
Design Standards for Street Lighting
Varied Light Sources
A diverse array of light sources influences the illumination of the public domain. Light sources such as signage and illumination, pole-mounted, catenary, and conventional and decorative fixtures are all components of well-designed solutions.
Street lights are supplemented at specific periods by light from storefronts, residential interiors, and building exterior lights. This includes suspended lanterns, facade lighting, and car tailpipes. The lights might lack consistency, distribution uniformity, or human comfort considerations.
Dimensions and Spacing
Distribute and illuminate roadways and footpaths in a standardized way by placing light fixtures. Consider obstruction locations, including those obstructed by trees or billboards.
- Height
Poles for footpaths and bike lanes are 4.5–6 meters in height. The type of street and land use dictate which light poles are utilized for roadbeds. Narrow streets in residential, commercial, and historical settings have a standard height. It ranges from 8 to 10 meters. Poles measuring 10 to 12 meters tall are suitable for wider streets in commercial zones.
- Spacing
A distance of approximately 2.5–3 times the height of each light pole should separate them. Installing shorter light pillars at closer intervals is recommended. Various factors determine the optimal height and spacing along a corridor. These include density, portable pace, and the illumination source type.
The height of the light fixture relative to the ground is approximately equal in diameter to the light cone. Thus, their height determines the most recommended distance between two light poles to prevent gloomy areas.
Colors, Temperatures, and Ambience
Various color temperatures may be employed to represent distinct users or modes of travel. However, the illumination scheme should adhere to a consistent color temperature scheme. 5000K is the typical temperature for vehicular pathways, while 3000K is usual for pedestrian paths.
Energy Conservation
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and other low-energy alternatives reduce light pollution and energy consumption. LEDs exhibit a lifespan of 50,000–70,000 hours without high-temperature conditions.
Contemplate installing an emergency power source. These sources are used as backup generators to light main corridors. Use a backup system in areas with electricity or potential power outages due to storm events.
In zones characterized by limited access to electricity, alternative power sources are suitable. These include solar panels or battery-operated light systems.
Local authorities should contemplate temporary light alternatives when installing a street lighting network is not viable. At night, structures located in specific districts help to exhibit or furnish spill or signage illumination.
Light Pollution
Directing illumination from light poles and fixtures onto the street can reduce light pollution and visibility. This eases potential adverse effects on wildlife and human health. Shielded and cut-off fixtures equipped with energy-efficient light bulbs are more cheap. It reduces light pollution by directing light toward the ground.
Summary
A design should comprise the street light system, accommodating the various mobility requirements. A street’s illumination levels should correspond with its function, classification, and pedestrian traffic. Also, the lighting system should complement the surrounding elements to be appealing. Implementing the entire city’s illumination system is impractical, economically viable, or desirable.
City streets are in flux due to road construction and development initiatives. Applying design criteria to every project can lead to a practical and functional lighting system. The municipality must uphold a consistent design and operational model. They must maintain a program to ensure the lighting system remains manageable.
This street lighting design guide has been compiled to assist the city, developers, and anyone else involved in enhancements to achieve this goal.
