Road Lighting Standards for Europe and beyond, a personal reflection
Join ILP Ireland on a world tour, headlined by Nick Smith. You might think the European road lighting Standards would be applied the same way across all of Europe but that isn’t the case. This webinar will discuss how EN13201 is applied in various European countries and their thinking behind this. The webinar will then focus on America, looking at their approach to lighting design in USA and Canada; the Standards used, the design metrics and how they are applied. Next on the world tour will be Australia and New Zealand, again, looking at their Standards, the metrics and how they are applied. The final stop will be the middle east where a range of Standards are applied.
The world becoming less isolated with improved communications so designing for overseas clients will become more commonplace in future. This is a must see webinar for all those involved in lighting design.
Speaker: Nick Smith FILP IEng MIES, Nick Smith Associates Limited
Host: Seán Campbell BSc(Eng.), MSc, MIEI, Chair for ILP Ireland
Q&As
| Question | Answer |
With reference to LM79 it was my understanding that this is a method of measurement in the US and not a European standard? | Yes, as I said LM79 is an IES document, but many manufacturers use it because it is a documented process. EN 13032 can also be used which is also a documented process too. It does depend on where the products are engineered and photometered. Either can be used. |
Is the selection of lighting classes universal across EU or do the nation states utilise the ambiguity to suit their own view? | Sort of universal, most countries have their own adaption of En13201:1:2014. In some cases, they may apply an additional or replacement class. in some cases, they have addition criteria like a change in uniformity. |
Interesting about Netherlands using different ratings for traffic vehicle types… DOLL labs will be trialling using AI sensors for different user types (vivacitylabs.com).. could be linked to designs going forward? | All research is useful information. Going forward, this information could be really useful in determining road user types and matching the lighting to meet their needs. |
General question on country standards/reports – Is there any evidence/research that there is link between higher lighting class and an increase in the average speed of traffic? | None I’m aware of. |
Numeric calculation standards are embedded in lighting engineer’s assessments. As light pollution concerns increase how do we bring in other professions into the decision-making process? | You need to engage with them if it is appropriate. I regularity engage with ecologist where lighting may impact other species. Also consider what you are lighting, tilting lanterns is often unnecessary these days. Indeed, most road lighting lanterns are designed and photometered to be installed flat; with no tilt or uplift. |
Any differences in EU to the TI/glare calculations that differ to our approach? | No differences I am aware of, but I know most do apply or consider all appropriate parameters |
| Would Ireland be best served by an optional supplementary document to reflect their local nuances? | I would encourage a national policy for the Republic Of Ireland on public lighting, which would have buy in from the all LAs and Tii etc as one policy. I also believe that one national public lighting office to manage all local authority lighting requirements would be a great way forward in terms of managing national maintenance contacts after the deep LED retrofit (RMO). Also, this can tie in dark skies policy along with new planning applications across the republic. (LDC Ireland answered this). |
Are local authorities considering <=3000K CCT for expected equipment? | Many local and county authorities already use warm white. |
Do you ever use semi-cylindrical illuminance? | On occasions normally where high crime is an issue but not a s a matter of course like in the Netherlands. |
Over time, would you anticipate greater alignment or greater separation between EU/UK standards, and inter-EU standards? | No, CIE and EN standards are becoming more closely aligned, so if we dropped EN standards which I feel is unlikely then the obvious choice with to use CIE, but it is unlikely to make much of a difference. |
Where can we find the evidence behind the standard? I note that the NIHR LANTERNS project could not find any scientific evidence of any effect on safety of any changes on the nearly 40000km of roads involved. | This question is too generic, an exact answer would take days to compile. There is lots of evidence, research papers and an awful lot of experience goes into preparing any standard. |
What is the difference between vertical and semi cylindrical illuminance, where would they be used? | It is slightly different calculation, but bother are measured at 1.5m above ground level, you need to review En13201-3 to see exactly. |
| Should Ireland consider other than P Classes for residential roads? | That is up to Ireland to decide what they want to do and what is wrong with BS5489-1:2020, personally I feel it is a huge amount of work. The more important point is does Ireland have enough experts who are willing to give up time to prepare a standard of their own. I think the answer to that question may be no. |
Wouldn’t lighting to different Classes on the same road complicate the design process unnecessarily? | It may but does the footpath need to be lit to the same class as the road? Calculating the different grids within the road gives a more complete picture of the design? |
Does edge illuminance ratio or surround ratio adequately light the surrounds? | Edge illuminance ratio will ensure that the lighting on the footpath never drops below 1/3 of the carriageway light levels. If that is considered adequately then it covers it. |
Why are there so many different photometric file types? Wouldn’t it be better just to have one? | Yes, it would be simper but many feel their format is right. Broadly speaking there are 2 now IES and LDT. |
How do the Australian Standards differ from EN13201? | They use different R tables for luminance, they use some different lighting levels. Too many differences to list here. |
| How should Ireland start in developing their own Standard? | That is up to Ireland to decide what they want to do and what is wrong with BS5489-1:2020, personally I feel it is a huge amount of work. The more important point is does Ireland have enough experts who are willing to give up time to prepare a standard of their own. I think the answer to that question may be no. |