STREET LIGHTING
Lecturer : DR.Mouhamad Abdullah
PREPARES BY :DANAR RZGAR
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Applications of Street Lighting
o 2.1 Highway Lighting
o 2.2 Intersection Lighting
o 2.3 Square Lighting
o 2.4 Parking Lot Lighting
o 2.5 Outdoor Industrial & Logistics Area Lighting
o 2.6 Sidewalk & Non-Motorized Path Lighting
3. Street Lighting Design: Illumination Calculations
4. Lamp Wattage Analysis
5. Conclusion
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Introduction
Street lighting is an essential component of modern infrastructure, playing a vital
role in urban planning and public safety. It enhances visibility at night, reduces the
risk of accidents, deters crime, and supports social activities after dark. In recent
years, there has been a significant shift from traditional lighting technologies—like
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) and Metal Halide (MH) lamps—to advanced LED-
based systems due to their higher efficiency, lower energy consumption, and
longer service life.
LED streetlights also support smart city features, including motion sensors,
photocells, and automated controls, allowing cities to optimize energy use and
operational efficiency.
Different applications of types of street lights
Street lighting
Both rural and urban areas have a variety of streets, such as primary streets,
secondary streets, etc. Different street lamp situations require different types of
street lights, different wattages, and different light distributions.
Highway lighting
The expressway is the road connecting the city and the city, and the road
connecting the city and the countryside. In this case, there will be no non-
motorized lanes for motor vehicles and pedestrians. In addition, the road surface of
the expressway is very smooth, there are no obvious potholes, the road condition is
maintained well, and the safety factor is high. Therefore, most highways do not
need to install street lights. At the same time, considering that the cost is too high,
it is not suitable to install street lights on the highway.
In the following special cases, such as high-speed entrances and exits, bridges on
high-speed roads, roundabouts, etc., high-power street lamps can be used to
provide necessary lighting for drivers to drive safely. For roundabouts, we
probably need to install flood lights instead of street lights. And the installation
height of flood lights can reach 12-15m or higher.
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Intersection lighting
These Types of street lights are often used at road and street intersections so that
drivers must make quick decisions when they spot potential hazards. In this
case, LED street lights should be placed at intervals to keep the light even and
eliminate the driver’s eyestrain. When necessary, high mast lights can be set up at
intersections to provide necessary lighting for drivers and pedestrians.
Square lighting
Squares are an important part of people’s lives, people spend more time
dancing/chatting/playing in squares at night, so square lighting has become very
necessary. Plaza lighting usually uses LED area lights and LED flood lights, but
there are also many LED street light manufacturers that have also developed light
distributions suitable for plaza lighting to reduce costs and expand the variety of
product functions.
Parking lot lighting
With the development of the economy, automobiles have become the main means
of transportation for the public. Some shopping malls, supermarkets, and hospitals
will be equipped with parking lots to provide convenience for people, and the
parking lot lighting is thus generated. Good parking lot lighting not only protects
pedestrians but also makes a good impression to protect your business. LED
street lights and post-top lights provide bright, energy-efficient lighting for parking
lots of all sizes. Different parking lots also require lights with various mounting
options, including straight-arm pole mounts, adjustable skid mounts, wall mounts,
and more.
Outdoor industrial and logistics area lighting
We know that any large warehouse and logistics area has a lot of space in front of
the entrance to facilitate the passage of vehicles through the area. Therefore, this
large space needs to be illuminated by lamps at night to avoid the existence of dark
areas, otherwise, it may increase the driver’s blind spot and increase potential risks.
At the same time, the loading and unloading area also needs enough lighting to
guide the driver, which is also convenient for workers to load and unload goods.
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Non-Motorized vehicles and sidewalk lighting
They mainly refer to the roads that pedestrians and non-motor vehicles pass
through. Usually, this type of lighting is combined with road lighting. During
lighting design, motor vehicle lanes, non-motor vehicles, and sidewalks will be
arranged according to the requirements of the project. Usually, a light will be set
up to illuminate non- motorized lanes and sidewalks. The purpose of setting
lighting on such roads is to provide safe and comfortable lighting conditions for
pedestrians and consumers. Lighting should enable pedestrians to walk safely,
recognize each other’s faces, locate them correctly, and prevent criminal activity.
2. Applications of Street Lighting
Street lighting designs vary depending on the location and function of the area.
Each application has specific lighting requirements to ensure optimal performance,
safety, and efficiency.
2.1 Highway Lighting
Highways typically do not require continuous lighting due to high speeds, good road
conditions, and the cost implications. However, specific sections such as:
Entrances and exits
Bridges and tunnels
Toll booths
Interchanges and roundabouts
...do benefit from high-intensity lighting. In these cases, floodlights mounted at
heights of 12–15 meters or more are used to provide uniform and safe visibility.
2.2 Intersection Lighting
Intersections demand enhanced visibility since drivers must make quick decisions.
Properly spaced LED streetlights reduce glare, minimize eye strain, and ensure
even illumination. In high-traffic zones, high-mast lighting is often used to ensure
consistent light coverage for both vehicles and pedestrians.
2.3 Square Lighting
Public squares are hubs of social activity, especially at night. Lighting in these areas
improves safety and aesthetics. While LED floodlights and area lights are common,
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many manufacturers now offer multi-purpose LED fixtures designed specifically
for squares, combining visual appeal with cost-efficiency.
2.4 Parking Lot Lighting
With the rise in vehicle ownership, well-lit parking lots are critical for safety and
convenience. Businesses like malls, hospitals, and offices use LED post-top lights
and pole-mounted fixtures with mounting styles such as:
Straight-arm poles
Wall mounts
Adjustable brackets
These options provide flexible solutions for parking lots of different sizes and
layouts.
2.5 Outdoor Industrial & Logistics Area Lighting
Large warehouses and logistics centers operate around the clock. Bright lighting
helps drivers navigate safely and supports the loading/unloading of goods. High-
lumen LED floodlights are ideal in these settings, minimizing blind spots and
improving worker safety.
2.6 Sidewalk & Non-Motorized Path Lighting
This category includes walkways, bike paths, and pedestrian-friendly roads. The
lighting design here focuses on comfort and security, allowing people to
recognize faces, read signs, and avoid obstacles. These areas are usually lit using
lower- mounted luminaires that minimize light pollution and ensure even
coverage.
Street Lighting Design: Calculation of Required Illumination
Designing a street lighting system involves determining the correct amount of
illumination based on road type, traffic volume, and environmental factors.
Guidelines are typically drawn from CIE (International Commission on
Illumination) or IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America).
3.1 Classification of Lighting Zones
M-Class: For high-speed motorized roads (e.g., highways).
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C-Class: For conflict zones like intersections and roundabouts.
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P-Class: For pedestrian and bicycle paths.
3.2 Key Geometric Factors
Road Width (W)
Pole Height (H)
Pole Spacing (D)
Arrangement: Single-side, double-side, staggered, or center median
Overhang: Luminaire projection from the pole
3.3 Luminous Flux Method
A widely used approach for lighting design:
Where:
E = Desired average illuminance (lux)
A = Area (length × width of road)
CU = Coefficient of Utilization (0.3–0.6)
LLF = Light Loss Factor (0.7–0.8)
3.4 Luminaire Quantity Calculation
Example:
Road section: 100m × 7m
Required illuminance: 10 lux
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CU = 0.4, LLF = 0.75
Lumens per fixture = 8000 lm
4. Lamp Wattage Analysis in Street Lighting
The wattage required for a lamp depends on both the desired illumination
and the technology used.
Comparison of Lighting Technologies
Thanks to their high efficacy, LED luminaires can replace older 250–400
W lamps with just 60–120 W units, providing the same brightness while
consuming far less energy.
Influencing Factors
Road Class: Highways require brighter lights (25,000–40,000 lumens),
while residential streets need far less (5–10 lux).
System Layout: Taller poles or wider spacing demands higher-wattage
fixtures. In contrast, closely spaced, lower poles allow for reduced power
consumption.
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Technology: LEDs allow for smart dimming, motion-based
activation, and remote monitoring, which dramatically cuts power
costs.
5. Conclusion
Modern street lighting is about much more than simply illuminating roads—
it’s about energy efficiency, urban safety, and intelligent infrastructure. With the
widespread adoption of LED and smart control technologies, cities can reduce
operational costs, improve public safety, and support sustainable development
goals.
Effective street lighting design must consider the type of road, lighting
class, geometric layout, technology selection, and power analysis to ensure a
system that is both functional and cost-effective.