Our post on October 12th covered those resources available to local governments looking to capitalize on the cost and energy savings opportunities from new and retrofit lighting projects. Investing in good visibility is a function of proper use of lighting for roadways, adjacent bikeways and pedestrian ways. Therefore, when evaluating roadway lighting options for your city, be sure to reference ANSI/IESNA RP-8-00, which guides most U.S. roadway lighting standards, for guidance on project design criteria.

A new version of RP-8, expected later this year, will include new concepts with (economically) practical implications. The revision will include the addition of “adaptive” roadway lighting, which can adjust light levels (and energy use) based on time of night and/or frequency and speed of traffic.

It also introduces the Luminaire Classification System (LCS), which incorporates the “BUG” (Backlight-Uplight-Glare) rating system for light fixtures. While the outdated classification accounted for light loss and glare, BUG is a comprehensive rating system that addresses multiple lighting issues – sky glow, light trespass, and glare. BUG ratings make evaluating light fixtures appropriate to your project fast, easy, and more complete.

If you are pursuing energy efficient street lighting improvements in your local government, resources are available to help you design for standards compliance:

View IESNA guidance for BUG ratings and a “BUG” rating example.

Read an overview on the BUG system from the International Dark-Sky Association.

Search sample roadway lighting standards and policies from the following localities:

·       Cary, NC                              ·       Minneapolis, MN

·       City of Lewiston, ME             ·       Springville City Power

·       City of Portland, OR              ·       Vacaville, CA

·       City of Rice Lake, WI

Through the Solution Center you may request Technical Assistance.

Using the provided resources and sample policies, cities can customize their own street lighting projects to achieve greater standards compliance that enhances roadway safety in a cost-effective manner.

Please share with us any experiences you may have implementing energy efficient street lighting projects in your community. Thanks!

Content for this post courtesy of Todd Samuel, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.