Traffic Engineering and Safety ConferenceChampaign, IL October 14-15, 2015

Impact of Industry Changeson Roadway Lighting in IL

Mark E. Seppelt, P.E.Electrical and Mechanical Unit ChiefBureau of Design and Environment2300 S. Dirksen ParkwaySpringfield, IL 62764

Presentation Outline

Intersection lighting

Adoption of LED roadway lighting

Intersection Lighting outline

• Definitions• Approach Lighting• Transition Lighting• Crosswalk Lighting• Design Considerations

Definitions - IDOT’s lighting standards

Bureau of Design and Environment (BDE) Manual, Chpt 56

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/home/resources/Manuals/Manuals-and-Guides

Lighting design based upon IESNA RP-8,

AASHTO Roadway Lighting Design Guide,

and other national standards.

Definitions

Approach Lighting• Lighting beyond an intersection to the start of the lane taper

or channelization• One-side pole arrangement on the approachTransition Lighting• A reduction in light levels for motorists leaving a lighted area• Allows the motorist’s eyes to adapt as they exit an area with

high light levels, such as an intersection• Dark-to-light adaptation occurs faster than light-to-darkCrosswalk Lighting• Illumination to make pedestrians more visible to motorists• Measured in the vertical plane as viewed by the motoristIsolated Intersection• The intersection of two unlighted roadways or• The intersection is separated from another lighting system by

20 seconds of travel time

Isolated Intersection Lighting

• Two combination poles in the center islands

State Route

Local Street

Isolated Intersection Lighting

• Four combination poles in the center islands

State Route

Local Street

Approach Lighting

End of lane taperApproach area

• Approach lighting suggested but not required by RP-8-14• Approach lighting not discussed in AASHTO

Approach Lighting

• Two poles needed to light a 330 ft. approach area for 3 lanes

Transition Lighting Guidelines

AASHTO Roadway Lighting Design Guide

RP-8-00 RP-8-14

• Recommends transition lighting to avoid extreme changes in light levels but offers no specific guidance

Transition Lighting

• Transition lighting is not intended for isolated intersections• At a 45 mph posted speed limit the transition area is 990 ft.

Continuous Lighting

Project LimitTransition Area

Transition Lighting

Posted Speed Limit Distance Traveled in 15 Seconds30 66035 77040 88045 99050 1100

Crosswalk Lighting

RP-8-14 Section 4.2.1 – Pedestrian Areas and Bikeways

RP-8-14 Section 5.3 - Crosswalks

• FHWA study by Virginia Tech on crosswalk lighting

• Recommends a 20 lux vertical illuminance level measured at 5 ft above the roadway to detect pedestrians in a midblock crosswalk

Crosswalk Lighting

State Route

Local Street

Applies anywhere there are crosswalks at an intersection

Crosswalk Lighting

• Positive vs. negative contrast• Luminaire needs to be between the motorist and pedestrian for

positive contrast

State Route

Local Street

Crosswalk Lighting

State Route

Local Street

• Recommended location of poles per Figure 14 of RP-8-14• Luminaires overhead are providing light in the crosswalk on

horizontal but not vertical surfaces

Crosswalk Lighting

State Route

Local Street

Poor vertical illuminance levels

• Even with 4 poles added – still vertical illuminance in shaded area is low

• True for motorists traveling in either direction

Considerations for IDOT

Combination lighting only• May not be adequate to meet the needs of either the

motorists or pedestrians• Should consider improved safety when evaluating the cost

of additional lighting units Approach lighting

• Should be considered for raised median (non-mountable)• Evaluate on case-by-case basis for turn lanes

Transition lighting• Should be considered when leaving an area of high

brightness• RP-8-14 gives guidance on how to apply

Crosswalk Lighting• Table 4, 5 & 6 should be used for pedestrian conflict areas• 20 lux vertical or higher is desirable but very difficult to

achieve with a reasonable number of luminaires

Intersection Lighting

THE END

Presentation Outline

Intersection lighting

Adoption of LED roadway lighting

Adoption of LED roadway lighting outline

LED past to present ICT roadway lighting research LED luminaire technology improvements Municipalities quicker to convert LED roadway lighting conversion at IDOT

LED Traffic Signal Modules

Energy Consumption Comparison

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

VehicularIndications

PedestrianIndications

IncandescentLampsLED - Green

Data from 4/4/2002

Watts

Lamp Type

LED luminaires equivalent to HPS

Where we’ve been with 2 research projects and what we’ve learned.

Background;

Started researching SSL for roadways in IL in 2009.

IDOT decided to invest in research through the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT) at the Urbana/Champaign campus.

ICT project R27-76, LED Roadway Lighting Evaluation and Field Testing was the first phase of research. This was 2 yr project 2010-2012.

https://apps.ict.illinois.edu/projects/view.asp?id=96

Recently completed the phase 2 project, ICT Project R27-123, Street Lighting Technologies – LED Street Lighting Evaluation, Phase 2.

https://apps.ict.illinois.edu/projects/getfile.asp?id=3368

Research showed SSL to be viable but not cost effective (yet).

Project deliverables included

• Generic Specification• Life Cycle Costing Spreadsheet Tool

Research into solid state lighting (SSL) - LED

LED Roadway Luminaires

Energy Consumption Comparison

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Typical 250WLamp

Typical 400WLamp

High PressureSodium - HPSEquivalent LED

Watts

Lamp Type

Data from 5/1/2013

Why the lighting industry is moving to LED luminaires

LED (light emitting diode) is becoming the light source of choice;

Reasons;

Energy cost savings (high efficacy)

Maintenance cost savings (no relamping & long life)

Installation cost savings (???)

Good light control (optical design)

Better color rendering (from 25 to 70+)

White light (2,500 – 6,500 degrees Kelvin)

Instant on (no warm up or restrike time)

Digital lighting allows for digital controls

Facilitates asset management

Traditional HID luminaires like HPS

beginning to lose product support

25 million streetlights in US (Boston Globe 8/2/12)

City of LA has converted over 140,000 streetlights to LED (LA webpage)

Municipalities aggressively converting to LEDFactors influencing conversion;• Energy savings a high priority than Min light levels• Shorter pole spacings or fewer lanes across• Lighting to appearance and public comment not stds

IDOT 30,000+ streetlight conversion currently being considered

LED conversion across the lighting industry

Roadway lighting on State routes in town• Must meet IDOT lighting guidelines in the BDE Manual, Chapter 56• City streets are not required to meet these standards• HPS is the light source of choice – LED requires District approval

BLRS circular letter CL2015-15 LED Lighting on State Highways• Recently issued on 9/23/15• Requires local projects on State routes converting from traditional light

sources to LED must be reviewed• Safety is at risk – LED luminaires have different light distribution

characteristics

Lighting design is required• Submit AGi32 lighting design calculations for review• City streets do not need to meet these requirements• Permit projects must be repermitted for LED conversions

LED Lighting by Local Public Agencies

050

100150200250300350400450500

Typical 250WLamp

Typical 400WLamp

High PressureSodium - HPSEquivalent LED

Lamp Type

Watts

Data from 5/1/2015

Energy Consumption Comparison

LED Roadway Luminaires

Conversion to LED roadway lighting at IDOT

All new roadway lighting projects being designed now consider LED luminaires (SSL) as an option.

IDOT now has a design specification for SSL and plans to install pilot projects asap.

Over half of the operating Districts now have projects planned or in design using LED roadway lighting.

LED roadway luminaire technology continues to improve making it a more attractive option going forward. Plus costs are coming down.

IDOT currently has no official policy for the use of LED roadway lighting but is considering it.

LED luminaire controls

Minimum investment• No controls but facilitate future addition• 7-pin receptacle on each luminaire and shorting cap

Mid investment• Smart driver in each luminaire with 7-pin receptacle and shorting cap• Equipped to luminaire dimming and constant lumen output

Max investment• Full lighting control package• 7-pin receptacle on each luminaire for a mesh network, gateway as needed,

backhaul network, and system software in Com Center for a complete CMSAllows; Asset management capabilities Remote interrogation of each luminaire Maintenance crew scheduling and dispatching Self diagnosis of power quality and luminaire functions Outage alerts and system wide report capabilities Selective or system wide dimming and constant lumen output Time of use metering Sensor interface for monitoring (road and weather conditions, gunshot

detection, air quality monitoring, radiation detection, energy usage monitoring, video monitoring)

TALQ Consortium• Group working to establish a globally accepted standard for management

software interfaces• Luminaire controls specifications should require TALQ compliant products

Impact of conversion to LED roadway luminaires on Maintenance

Defer routine luminaire maintenance from 4 yr to 10 yr cycle Dirt accumulation = lumen reduction (cleaning cycle needed???) Handhole covers missing = rodent entry (inspection cycle needed???) LED luminaires may last 20 yrs but driver currently only lasts 10 yrs LED luminaires can be maintained or treat them as throw away Maintain LED luminaires beyond L70 = under lighting roadways Technology changing rapidly = no standard form factor

Questions and Discussion