Introduction:
Street lighting is an essential part of city lighting. It is crucial to know the various types of street lights available to choose one that suits your needs. They can reduce accidents and help people feel secure, especially in the dark. Nowadays, LED lights are replacing traditional lights, and for obvious reasons. They are energy-saving and have a long lifespan. They can easily be installed.
Several factors are involved in placing aesthetically pleasing streetlights in various spaces. These include wattage, light distribution, efficiency, CRI, etc. Every location needs to be analyzed correctly, and then the right decision should be made. The latest technological advancements and features, such as photocells, smart control, and sensors in streetlights, make them stand out. The various types of street lamps available today enhance the aesthetics. Additionally, they serve an essential function in the safety and security of the roads.
In this article, we will guide you through various types of street lights and their applications. So, let’s dive in and review all the street light fixtures you need to know in detail to make an informed decision.
Applications of Street Lights
1. Highway Lighting
Highways or expressways are high-speed traffic roads, and safety is important in this situation. However, since there are no non-motorized lanes, pedestrians, and potholes, there is no need to install street lighting. However, high-power floodlights should be installed in such places at a constant distance. Powerful floodlights are used to enable drivers to see the road clearly and prevent accidents. These areas have the tallest lighting, ranging from 30 to 40 meters, and even higher.
Streetlights should be installed at strategic locations such as entrances, exits, and sharp corners. In busy areas, these lights make long journeys safer for everyone.
2. Intersection Lighting
Intersections are places where roads meet, so there is a need for clear lighting. Primarily, these points emphasize the importance of proper lighting, as it guides the driver through potential hazards. At intersections, street lights also help drivers and pedestrians see each other.
Good lighting reduces confusion and lowers the chance of accidents. In this case, drivers can easily spot traffic signs and signals, especially in bad weather or at night.
The height of intersection lighting can go from 20 to 33 feet. But when the roads are wider, high-power mast lights can also be used in this situation, which can be taller if needed.
3. Square Lighting
Public squares are popular gathering spots in cities. Good lighting here will keep people safe, creating a secure environment for chatting, dancing, and other activities. It also helps prevent crime and supports local businesses that stay open late. Primarily, these areas require high-power LED floodlights or area lighting. However, properly functioning streetlights can also be a valuable addition. In addition, attractive lighting can make squares look more beautiful and lively after dark.
4. Parking Lot Lighting
Many hotels, restaurants, clubs, and malls offer parking lots with increasing use of automobiles. These areas require intense LED street lighting or pop-top lights to ensure the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians. LED lights are a perfect choice due to their energy efficiency.
Manufacturers offer various options for different parking lot sizes, along with advanced features. They can be mounted anywhere as the options vary from wall-mounted ones to adjustable skid lights.
Bright lights will help drivers find parking spaces and walk safely to their destinations. Moreover, they will also discourage theft, protecting businesses.
5. Outdoor Industrial and Logistics Area Lighting
Factories, warehouses, and logistics centers often operate 24/7. They have larger outdoor spaces for vehicles for loading and unloading purposes. These well-illuminated areas with outdoor street lighting add to safety and convenience. Furthermore, the risk of accidents during loading and unloading is reduced, too. Good lighting also supports security. It makes it easier to spot spaces, unauthorized people, or activities.
6. Non-Motorized Vehicles and Sidewalk Lighting
Pedestrians and cyclists use sidewalks the most. So, these areas should be more illuminated, avoid any mishaps, and create a comfortable environment. With appropriate streetlights, they can be made more welcoming in the dark for evening strolls or bike rides. Also, sidewalk lighting will enhance safety conditions. People are able to locate, recognize, and walk easily in well-lit areas.
Types of Street Lights Based on Development History
Historical Evolution
Street lighting is an urban need, and it’s advancing with various technological developments. With a long history, street lighting started with oil lamps. Then came the candles and torches during the Middle Ages.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, European cities such as Paris and London started to install lanterns with glass windows. These significantly increased safety and lighting conditions. With the invention of electric lighting, the 19th century became one of the breakthroughs. Incandescent bulbs were soon introduced after the arc lamps in the 1800s. Soon after that, incandescent bulbs were introduced. Sir Joseph Swan and Thomas Edison were the great inventors behind this incredible invention. These bulbs provided soft illumination and were affordable.
Then, high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH) lamps, became popular. They offered good color rendering but were a bit costly. Throughout the 21st century, with the rise of LED technology, solar-powered systems and smart street lighting systems have been introduced. Their advantages include superior energy efficiency, color rendering, and a longer service life.
Based on the above developmental changes, various types of street lights have been categorized roughly according to some factors below:
1. High-Pressure Sodium Lamps (HPS)
HPS lamps gained popularity in the 1970s. They emit a yellow-orange color. These lamps are considerably bright and consume less energy than old bulbs. Highways and large roads are well-suited for them. However, they do not display colors well, so things may appear unusual at night.
2. Metal Halide Lamps (MH)
Metal halide lamps produce a white light. This helps to see colors at night more easily. They are common in sports grounds, urban centers, and car parks. They consume a lot of energy as compared to HPS lamps and have a shorter lifespan.
3. LED Street Lamps
LED street lamps are now the most popular choice. They use very little energy and can last many years. LEDs can be very bright and show colors clearly. They are easy to control and can be dimmed when needed. Many cities are replacing old lights with LEDs to save money and energy.
4. Solar LED Street Lamps
Solar LED street lamps use sunlight to charge batteries during the day. At night, the stored energy powers the lights. These lamps are great for places without electricity. They help save on electricity bills and are good for the environment.
5. Smart LED Street Lamps
Smart LED street lamps are the newest type. They have sensors and can connect to the internet. These lights can turn on or off by themselves, depending on traffic or weather. They help save even more energy. Additionally, city workers can monitor and control them remotely.
Comparison Table
| Feature / Type | High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) | Metal Halide (MH) | LED Street Lamps | Solar LED Street Lamps | Smart LED Street Lamps |
| Light Color | Yellow-orange | Bright white | White (various tones) | White (various tones) | White (various tones, adjustable) |
| Luminous Efficacy (lm/W) | 80–150 | 70–115 | 100–200 | 100–180 | 100–200 |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | 20–30 (poor) | 60–90 (good) | 70–90 (excellent) | 70–90 (excellent) | 70–90 (excellent) |
| Lifespan (hours) | 12,000–24,000 | 6,000–15,000 | 50,000–100,000 | 25,000–50,000 | 50,000–80,000 |
| Energy Efficiency | Moderate | Moderate | High | Very High (off-grid) | Very High (adaptive, dimming) |
| Maintenance Needs | Moderate | High | Low | Very Low | Low |
| Smart Features | No | No | Some (dimming, controls) | Yes (remote monitoring possible) | Yes (sensors, adaptive, remote control) |
| Grid Dependency | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes/No (hybrid possible) |
| Upfront Cost | Low | Moderate | Moderate to High | High | High |
| Typical Applications | Highways, foggy areas | Sports fields, city centers | Urban roads, walkways | Parks, rural, off-grid roads | Smart cities, main urban roads |
| Main Advantages | Strong fog penetration, low cost | Good color, high output | Energy-saving, long life | No electricity bill, sustainable | Adaptive, data collection, efficient |
| Main Drawbacks | Poor color, high light pollution | Shorter life, high upkeep | Higher initial cost | Needs sunlight, higher upfront | High upfront cost, complex systems |
Customer Concerns When Choosing Street Light Types for Various Applications
Wattage
Wattage is a major concern when choosing different types of street lights. It represents the power consumption of a street light. It directly affects the different locations that aim for different wattage selections. Generally, select higher wattage when you need bright lighting. However, you must also consider factors such as pole height, boom angle, boom length, pole distance, and road width when selecting the right wattage. Two things must be noted:
- Lamp height: If the lamp height is longer, opt for higher wattage. This will provide good illumination to the overall area.
- Location layout: For better light distribution, note down the specified area and light selection. For example, wattage selection would differ for a park light and a spotlight for a parking lot.
Efficiency
Light efficiency is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W). It refers to how effectively a fixture converts electrical energy into visible light. LED street lights achieve 100-200 lm/W compared to 80-150 lm/W for HPS and 70-115 lm/W for metal halide street light fixtures. Higher efficiency means lower energy consumption. This results in maintaining required illumination levels, making projects more competitive and cost-effective.
CRI and CCT
Color Rendering Index (CRI) and Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) are two important factors that tell about different street light types:
- CRI: It determines how objects’ colors render under white light. It scores from 1 to 100, with the highest number indicating better color reproduction.
- CCT: It indicates the color appearance of street lights. It can be warm, neutral, or cool. It’s measured in Kelvin (K). 2700K is warm yellow light, 4000K is neutral, and 5700K is daylight white light. There are other tones, but they have less impact on living things.
Certification
Certification demonstrates that a street light complies with safety and quality standards. Lights meeting international standards will have certifications such as CE, RoHS, or ISO. These certifications indicate that the product has been tested and is safe to use. Certified lights are more reliable and durable.
Price
Pricing associated with various street light types is always a significant concern. Some call for a higher initial investment, but they save over time. They use less energy and need less regular maintenance. It is a smart move to compare beforehand. This will help you decide within your budget.
Summary
Street lighting provides comfortable lighting conditions for people, ensuring public safety. After a detailed analysis of different types of street lights and their applications, you must have learned a lot about choosing lighting according to your project requirements. The market offers a wide range of options, but each serves a different purpose. LED lights, however, are cost-effective, last longer, and are highly efficient. A good understanding of lighting and its parameters will help you make the best decision.
