© 2005 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................1Overview ......................................................................................................................1Need for Engineering Expertise ...................................................................................1Necessary Expertise .....................................................................................................1Recommended Design Methods...................................................................................2Modern Controls and Master Lighting Plans ...............................................................2

Chapter 2: Master Lighting Plans................................................................................................32.1 Overview ...........................................................................................................3

Introduction .......................................................................................................3Definition...........................................................................................................3Benefits..............................................................................................................3

2.2 Plan Development .............................................................................................3Introduction .......................................................................................................3Participants ........................................................................................................4Groups Having Concerns About Lighting.........................................................4

2.3 Goals of a Master Lighting Plan........................................................................5Introduction .......................................................................................................5Improved Safety ................................................................................................5Environmentally Judicious Use of Resources ...................................................5Energy Use ........................................................................................................6Tourists, Businesses, and Nighttime Activities.................................................6Planned Maintenance ........................................................................................6

2.4 Lighting Curfews...............................................................................................6Introduction .......................................................................................................6Reasons for Curfews .........................................................................................7Considerations Before Implementation.............................................................7

2.5 Electrical and Lighting Management Systems..................................................8Introduction .......................................................................................................8Cost....................................................................................................................8Benefits..............................................................................................................9Benefits of ELMS Standardization..................................................................10

2.6 Conducting Studies..........................................................................................10Introduction .....................................................................................................10Electrical System.............................................................................................11Benefits and Effects of Curfews and Dimming...............................................11Traffic Studies .................................................................................................11Community Goals............................................................................................11Budget .............................................................................................................11

Chapter 3: Techniques of Lighting Design................................................................................133.1 Overview .........................................................................................................13

Introduction .....................................................................................................13Level and Uniformity of Illuminance and Luminance....................................13Illuminance Considerations.............................................................................14

xiii© 2005 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

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Luminance Considerations ..............................................................................14Visibility-Based Design Methods....................................................................16

3.2 Warranting Conditions.....................................................................................17General.............................................................................................................17Benefits of Lighting.........................................................................................17Rural Interchanges ...........................................................................................17Warranting Conditions.....................................................................................17Continuous Freeway Lighting .........................................................................18Partial Interchange Lighting ............................................................................19Special Considerations.....................................................................................20Bridges.............................................................................................................20

3.3 Design Values for Freeways............................................................................20General.............................................................................................................20Design Considerations .....................................................................................20Lighting Levels on Crossroads ........................................................................20Partial Interchange Lighting ............................................................................21Adaptation (Transition) Lighting.....................................................................22Bridges and Overpasses...................................................................................22Other Considerations .......................................................................................22Area Classifications .........................................................................................22

3.4 Streets and Highways Other Than Freeways (Including Walkways and Bicycle Ways) .......................................................23General.............................................................................................................23Warranting Conditions.....................................................................................23Lighting Design Levels....................................................................................23Other Considerations .......................................................................................23

3.5 Pole Placement Guidelines ..............................................................................26Introduction......................................................................................................26Obstruction of View ........................................................................................26Height Restrictions ..........................................................................................26Medians............................................................................................................26Gore Areas .......................................................................................................26Maintenance Considerations............................................................................26Adjacent to Deflecting Barriers .......................................................................27General Safety Concerns .................................................................................27Design Options ................................................................................................27

Option 1: Remove the Obstacle.................................................................27Option 2: Redesign the Obstacle ...............................................................27Option 3: Relocate the Obstacle ................................................................28Option 4: Use Appropriate Breakaway Device .........................................28Option 5: Shield the Obstacle ....................................................................29Option 6: Delineate the Obstacle ...............................................................29

3.6 References........................................................................................................29

Chapter 4: Techniques of Lighting Design................................................................................31

Chapter 5: Tunnels and Underpasses ........................................................................................335.1 Overview .........................................................................................................33

Roadway Lighting Design Guide

xiv© 2005 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.

5.2 Underpasses.....................................................................................................33General Scope and Guide Application ............................................................33Warrants for Nighttime Underpass Lighting...................................................33Design Values for Underpass Lighting ...........................................................34Selection and Placement of Underpass Luminaires ........................................34

5.3 Vehicular Tunnels ...........................................................................................34General Scope and Guide Application ............................................................34Short Tunnels ..................................................................................................35Long Tunnels...................................................................................................35Warrants for Tunnel Lighting..........................................................................35Visibility Optimization of the Tunnel and Approach Features .......................36

5.4 Daytime Lighting of Tunnel Interiors .............................................................37Short Tunnels—Silhouette Visibility ..............................................................37Entrance Portal Lighting .................................................................................37Lighting Beyond the Entrance Zone ...............................................................37Nighttime Tunnel Lighting..............................................................................38Selection and Placement of Tunnel Luminaires..............................................38Tunnel Lighting Control Systems ...................................................................38Maintenance Factor for Tunnel Lighting Design ............................................38

Chapter 6: Work Zone Lighting and Temporary Roadway Lighting....................................39Introduction ................................................................................................................39Cost.............................................................................................................................39Types ..........................................................................................................................39Design Values ............................................................................................................39Safety..........................................................................................................................39Work Area Lighting ...................................................................................................40

Chapter 7: Roundabouts .............................................................................................................41Introduction ................................................................................................................41Warrant Conditions.....................................................................................................41Recommended Lighting Level ...................................................................................41

Chapter 8: Electrical Systems Requirements............................................................................43Disconnects.................................................................................................................43Guidelines Available ..................................................................................................43Grounding...................................................................................................................43Voltage Drop ..............................................................................................................43

Chapter 9: Safety Rest Areas......................................................................................................45Overview .........................................................................................................45Warrant............................................................................................................45Design Values..................................................................................................45Entrance and Exit ............................................................................................45Interior Roadways ...........................................................................................46Parking Areas ..................................................................................................47Activity Areas..................................................................................................47Main Lanes ......................................................................................................47

xv© 2005 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

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Chapter 10: Roadway Sign Lighting..........................................................................................4910.1 Overview .....................................................................................................49

Introduction .................................................................................................49Key Elements of Roadway Sign Lighting...................................................49

10.2 Sign Lighting Warrants ...............................................................................50

10.3 Illuminated Sign Types ...............................................................................51Ambient Luminance Classifications ...........................................................51

10.4 Sign Lighting Recommendations ................................................................52Lighting Uniformity ....................................................................................53Sign Color Standards...................................................................................53Placement of Lighting Units........................................................................53

10.5 References ...................................................................................................54

Chapter 11: Maintenance Considerations in Roadway Lighting Design ...............................55General......................................................................................................................55Maintenance Factors .................................................................................................55Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LDD).........................................................................55Lamp Lumen Depreciation (LLD)............................................................................55Equipment Factor (EF) .............................................................................................56Support Structure Maintenance ................................................................................56Electrical Distribution and Control System Maintenance ........................................56External Factors ........................................................................................................57

Chapter 12: Sky Glow and Light Trespass ...............................................................................5912.1 Overview .....................................................................................................59

Introduction .................................................................................................59Types of Objectionable Roadway Lighting.................................................59

12.2 Mitigating Sky Glow and Light Trespass....................................................60

Glossary ...........................................................................................................................................61

Roadway Lighting Design Guide

xvi© 2005 by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

All rights reserved. Duplication is a violation of applicable law.