Proper lighting in urban areas is critical for many reasons.
- It provides safety and security at night for residents.
- It helps to give an aesthetic appeal to streets and pathways, as well as highlighting structures and landscape elements.
- When energy-efficient light fixtures are utilized, they contribute to sustainability goals.
Light poles play a pivotal role in urban lighting. In many cases, light fixtures must be elevated to provide proper light spread over streets, parking lots, and public parks.
However, there are many more uses for light poles than simply illumination. Additional uses include the integration of security cameras, sensors, and 5G technology. They can become a shared asset that can benefit a multitude of people and organizations. For example:
- Cameras can be mounted on them and used to monitor traffic and security conditions.
- Antennas can be used as an extension of communication networks.
- Sensors can be used to monitor traffic and weather conditions.
- Electrical outlets can be used as EV recharging stations.
- Banners can be attached to advertise events or products.
Importance of Light Poles in Urban Planning
Safety and Security
Properly illuminating streets, parks, and public spaces is a crime deterrent. Making these areas more visible at night makes it difficult for criminals to rob residents or vandalize property. Combining more visibility with mounted security cameras is an additional bonus. It also enhances visibility for drivers and pedestrians, reducing the chance of accidents or collisions.
Aesthetics and Ambiance
Light poles for urban areas play an important role in enhancing the beauty of urban landscapes, whether due to their associated light fixtures or the appearance of the pole itself. The color and/or the brightness level of its light fixture(s) can highlight areas of interest or add ambiance to a setting.
Decorative light poles can add an aesthetic appeal to streets or pathways. They are available in many styles including retro, contemporary, or traditional. Custom designs can be used to complement architectural styles.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Modern light poles can support energy-efficient lighting solutions when integrated with LED lighting technology. LED lights are more efficient and longer lasting than any other artificial light source. They can greatly contribute to a city’s sustainability goals by reducing energy consumption. Additionally, due to their long lifespan, they don’t need to be replaced as frequently as other lighting options. This helps to reduce maintenance costs.
Light Pole Materials for Municipal Projects
In general, light poles are made of one of three types of materials: aluminum, steel, or fiberglass. They can also be made of wood or concrete, but those types are much less common so we will set them aside for this discussion.
Steel light poles are the most common type of light pole.
- They are the most economical option but have the shortest lifespan due to their susceptibility to corrosion. This is why they are not recommended for direct burial or coastal installations.
- They are strong and durable enough to handle high winds and multiple fixtures. However, since they weigh much more than other types of poles, they require additional resources to install or replace.
Aluminum light poles are the next most common type of light pole.
- They are more expensive than steel light poles but are corrosion-resistant and can last 50+ years.
- They are easier to install than steel poles because they are more lightweight.
Fiberglass light poles aren’t as common as steel or aluminum light poles but have many advantages over them.
- They are resistant to corrosion and rust and are very lightweight, making them easy to install.
- Since they are not made of metal, they do not conduct electricity, making them safe during electrical storms.
- They are more expensive than steel or aluminum poles and their lifespan falls between that of steel and aluminum, roughly 20-30 years.
Tips for Municipalities: Choosing the Right Lighting Solutions
There are many factors to consider when selecting lighting for urban areas.
What is the application?
The height of a light pole will vary depending on its application. Larger spaces will require taller poles so that the light has a wider spread. Street light poles will be as tall or taller than parking lot light poles depending on the width of the street. Poles used for sports stadium lighting will usually be taller than street light poles.
Will they be located in areas near the coast?
For coastal areas, it’s best to opt for aluminum or fiberglass light poles due to the salt and moisture in the air. Since they are more corrosion-resistant than steel poles, they will last longer.
Will they be located in areas that experience high winds?
For areas that experience high winds, like coastal or mountainous areas, the light poles will need to be strong enough to handle the conditions. You’ll need to consult a pole’s associated EPA table to determine its suitability.
What types of light fixtures will be needed?
Your lighting application will determine what type of light fixture you’ll need.
For example, if you’re illuminating a large parking lot, flood light fixtures are required to provide enough visibility for drivers and pedestrians. If you’re illuminating a park pathway, the light doesn’t need to be as bright. And want to add an aesthetic appeal, decorative light fixtures and decorative light poles would be the way to go.
The importance of durability, aesthetics, and energy efficiency.
Aside from the factors listed above, any light poles that you select will ideally have the following characteristics:
- They must be durable and long-lasting enough to justify their cost.
- They must blend in well with their surroundings and provide an aesthetic appeal.
- The light fixtures used should be as energy-efficient as possible to reduce energy costs over the long term while providing appropriate light levels.
LightMart's Solutions for Urban Areas
LightMart is the ideal resource for your urban planning and design needs. We offer light poles in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit any project need. We also have the largest supply of quick-ship light poles in stock and ready to ship.
We offer light pole kits that provide you with everything you’ll need and save you time. This includes the pole, light fixture, and associated hardware. Among the kits that we offer are Municipal-Grade Light Pole Kits that are high-quality and extra durable. We also offer the Municipal-Grade Light Pole on its own if you’d like to use a different light fixture.
If your project includes parking lot lighting, we can help with that, too. Our parking lot lighting kit options allow you to illuminate parking lots of any size.
Our knowledgeable staff can help you select the right lighting systems to suit the needs of your project. Contact us today!
David DeWald is the E-Commerce Marketing Specialist at LightMart. He has been working in the industrial and commercial lighting industry since 2013 and is based in the greater Chicago area. David specializes in digital product management, web content writing, and product marketing. He regularly publishes lighting industry-related articles on the LightMart blog. You can visit his LinkedIn profile here.