Street lighting is woven into the fabric of society, defining our urban and rural landscapes and informing our sense of security. But what if much of this lighting is unnecessary? What if it could be done differently, more efficiently and more sustainably, without sacrificing safety?
The East Riding Live Labs 2 project is part of a programme funded by the Department for Transport, managed by the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), the scheme looks to challenge longstanding assumptions around street lighting. That means exploring how we can deliver safer roads, lower carbon emissions and significant cost savings by rethinking our approach to street lighting.
Origins and Purpose
The project stems from critical questions do we need to light this and if we do, can we do it differently? Traditional thinking suggests that street lighting is a fundamental road safety measure, particularly on major A-roads, bypasses and out-of-town routes, but our research suggests otherwise.
An analysis of road collision data on these types of roads found that 80% of incidents occur in daylight, and where collisions do happen at night, they are often the result of driver error, rather than a lack of visibility. So, if lighting is not a significant factor in preventing accidents, why are we maintaining carbon intensive lighting systems where they may not be necessary?
The Live Labs 2 approach
Our project is centred on challenging the existing knowledge base around street lighting with a primary goal to trial alternative methods of providing visual cues for drivers, using intuitive design to maintain or improve safety while reducing reliance on traditional street lighting.
One area of focus is the use of lower carbon lighting alternatives. This includes new pedestrian-only lighting solutions that ensure the safe use of active travel routes, particularly in rural areas. Here, the key is to provide enough lighting to create a perception of safety for users like runners and cyclists while preventing unnecessary spill onto roads which can contribute to over-lighting and increased driver speeds.
The British standards governing road lighting have remained largely unchanged for decades despite the rapid evolution of vehicle headlights and reflective surfaces. Our work could offer solutions to modernise these standards by exploring best practices from countries like Australia and New Zealand where more nuanced approaches to pedestrian and road lighting have been successful.
Kevin Rourke at the LiveLabs A164 roundabout (C) ADEPT
Data driven safety solutions
Public perception plays a significant role in street lighting, and there is an understandable fear that reducing lighting will lead to increased accidents. However, assumptions must be backed by data. In response, our team have developed an AI system using thermal imaging cameras to measure driver and pedestrian behaviour before and after lighting changes.
Providing data on vehicle and pedestrian activity, categorising vehicle types, speeds and driver behaviour patterns, this technology enables us to assess whether changes to lighting infrastructure are genuinely impacting safety. If the data shows that drivers are more cautious and that collisions do not increase, then we have evidence to support a more sustainable approach to lighting design.
The road ahead
The results so far have been compelling, and we are seeing promising indications that adapting street lighting in certain areas does not compromise safety.
We are engaging with national bodies including the Road Safety Foundation to integrate our data into improved safety models and collaborating with industry groups like the Highway Electrical Association and the Lighting Industry Association to drive discussions on evolving street lighting infrastructure.
By 2050, the UK’s electricity grid is set to be carbon neutral. By then, the carbon footprint of street lighting will be almost entirely derived from its physical materials not from the energy it consumes. So, it’s imperative to start rethinking our approach today. Reducing unnecessary lighting, using lower carbon materials and implementing better solutions are essential steps towards a more sustainable future.
We are also putting the finishing touches to our biodiversity monitoring program, to measure the effects on light pollution and local biodiversity from either lighting removal or lighting replacement.
The East Riding Live Labs 2 project is not about turning off lights indiscriminately. It’s about intelligent decision making that prioritises safety and sustainability. By asking the right questions we are setting a new standard for street lighting; challenging outdated norms and embracing innovation.
Karl Rourke, Street Lighting Service Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and a team leader on the Council’s Live Labs 2 Decarbonising Street Lighting project, explores the origins and goals of the initiative.
Top image: Julian Hochgesang / Unsplash
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