How to Determine Pole Height and Distance Between Poles in Street Lighting

It is very important to position the lighting fixtures in order to illuminate the streets, roads and pavements correctly. No matter how bright lamps are used, the desired performance cannot be achieved if the lighting fixtures are not properly positioned.

How to Determine Pole Height and Distance Between Poles in Street Lighting
26.08.2022
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It is very important to position the lighting fixtures in order to illuminate the streets, roads and pavements correctly. No matter how bright lamps are used, the desired performance cannot be achieved if the lighting fixtures are not properly positioned.

The height of the lighting pole to be used is directly related to the width of the area to be illuminated. 4.5-6 meters high lighting poles are used on pavements and bicycle paths. Lighting poles at a height of 8-10 meters are preferred in narrow streets and side roads. On wider streets, commercial and industrial areas, 10-12 meters high poles are used.

The width of the area to be illuminated by the lighting fixture is roughly equal to the height of the lighting pole. That is, a 12-meter-high pole-mounted luminaire can illuminate a 12-meter-wide road (lane width 3-3.5 meters) or area.

Inadequate height of the pole will cause very bright and very dark spots to be formed in the area to be illuminated.

On narrow streets, lighting from one side of the road is usually sufficient. On wider streets, it may be necessary to position the lighting poles on both sides of the road (opposite or shifted).

The high distance between the poles in outdoor lighting projects means low cost due to the use of fewer poles and less lighting fixtures. The distance between the poles is related to the height of the lighting pole to be used. The higher the lighting pole, the greater the distance between the two poles. To give a general ratio in this regard, it would be appropriate to leave a distance of 2.5-3 times the height of the pole between the two poles. For example; In projects where 6 meters of lighting poles are used, a distance of 15-18 meters can be left between the poles.

If the distance between the poles is more than necessary, there will be dark areas between the two poles. When the distance between the poles is very low, very bright areas occur between the two poles.

Factors such as speed limit, traffic density and crime rate that determine the road lighting class should be taken into consideration in determining the pole height and the distance between the poles. The total light output and light distribution of the lighting fixture should also be considered in determining the pole height.

It should be verified by computer simulation software that the combination of lighting pole and luminaire meets the standard requirements of road lighting.

Emre Yılmaz, the founder of Lighting Portal, graduated from Atılım University Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2013, and since then has been involved in the management and product development activities of state-supported projects in the lighting industry. He completed his master's degree at Gazi University Industrial Design Engineering Department and continues his education in the doctorate program of the same department.
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