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Street lights, also known as pole lights, light posts, and street lamps, help to improve visibility on roads and sidewalks. They can also reduce crime rates, and create a sense of safety for pedestrians and motor vehicles.
Homeowners or developers who wish to install street lighting in an area that does not currently have any may petition the County for installation.
Layout
The physical layout of the poles is a complex process. The lighting design will determine an appropriate pole height and spacing, however, it is also necessary to consider structures such as water and sewer lines, catch basins, fire hydrants, lot lines, and proposed locations of driveways.
It is also important to remember that future maintenance will be performed on the lights with a photometric layout that may not match the original design. Maintaining a complete set of IES photometric files is important to ensure that if the lighting layout needs to be updated in the future, the new layout will still meet minimum requirements.
The Developer/HOA or Management Company pays the annual operation bill for street lighting installed on private roadways within their subdivision. To begin this process, staff will review final plans and other available maps to confirm the road classification.
Poles
Street lights illuminate roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks and improve security for pedestrians and drivers. They also consume less energy than traditional light bulbs, reducing operating costs and carbon emissions.
Typically, street lights are placed on poles made of corrosion-resistant metals. They are either on a timer or have an automatic photo light sensor that turns them on at night.
Many municipalities are converting their street lighting from HPS to LEDs. This may involve a partnership with the utility company and a cost-share program to minimize upfront costs. In other cases, the responsibility for funding new street lights falls on the local governing body or HOA and will result in a special assessment. Residents often oppose this as it raises their property taxes.
Fixtures
Lighted streets help make the area safer for pedestrians and motorists. They also help prevent crime and improve visibility in poor light conditions. They are normally on a timer or have an automatic photo light sensor that turns them on when it gets dark.
The lights are usually made from corrosion-resistant metals like aluminum or a strong plastic material such as high-density polyethylene. They are then mounted on poles, either on dedicated street light poles or existing utility poles. These lights can come in various power ranges, which is a crucial factor in reducing total energy costs.
If your town or city has old, worn street lights that are wasting electricity, it is worth asking the local utility to replace them with newer models that are more energy efficient. This can often be done at a low cost through a special assessment of property owners, or by using funds from a local bond issue or tax increment financing.
Wiring
Most street lighting is maintained by the utility company that serves your home. This means residents and business owners are often limited in choices of lighting systems.
If your old street lights need replacement, ask your utility about conversion to energy-efficient LED fixtures. They may be willing to participate in a program that can provide new lights, financing, and guaranteed savings.
Older lights typically use what is called a Jones socket – where the lamp unplugs from a receptacle mounted in the luminaire. Modern street lights have a controller that can be set using a time clock that adjusts for sunrise/sunset times, astronomical settings, or even a GPS connection to optimize the ON/OFF schedule and energy conservation. This can reduce trespass and light pollution.
Testing
It’s important to regularly inspect your street lights to make sure they are functioning properly. Checking for loose connections, signs of corrosion, and other issues can help you prevent problems from arising in the future.
For example, dirt can accumulate around the base of a light pole and cause it to turn off or on intermittently. Using a broom or dustpan to remove this dirt will help to keep the light functioning at its best. If you have a powerful vacuum cleaner with the correct attachment, you can even use it to clean hard-to-reach areas. Just be careful not to damage any wiring while doing so and Street Lighting Construction.
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