Part 3 – Road Works

3.14    Road Lighting

3.14.2    Lighting Parameters

Lighting installations shall be designed by a qualified lighting designer who is familiar with the requirements of AS/NZS 1158:2005. 

Note:  Designers shall also be familiar with the relevant technical specifications included in the MPDC Infrastructure Code of Practice.

The following sections apply to the lighting design:

3.14.2.1    Category V (Traffic Route) Lighting

Category V lighting shall provide a lit environment conducive to the safe and comfortable movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic at night and discourage illegal acts.  The visual requirements of motorists shall predominate.

3.14.2.2    Category P (Local Roads and Pedestrians Area) Lighting

Category P lighting shall be designed to help pedestrians to orientate themselves and detect potential hazards, and discourage fear of crime against the person.  The designer shall take into consideration the Category P requirements and the principles of “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design”.

To maximise efficiency and minimize the number of lights installed the following Table applies:

 As a guide the following are the preferred mounting heights for the luminaires:

• 6.0 m in residential areas, and
• 7.0 m in industrial areas.

3.14.2.3    Traffic Management Devices

Traffic management devices shall be considered as an integral part of the lighting design and appropriate standards shall be applied.

Lighting of traffic management devices shall be designed to support the purpose of the device:

• Where the device is intended to slow traffic, lighting may need to be installed to a higher standard than normal for that area.  This will be to provide sufficient visibility to alert drivers of the presence and speed constraint of the device.
• Where the device is intended to deter through traffic, the device may be identified by signage or by road lighting.

3.14.2.4    Column Locations

Ideally lighting columns should be positioned in line with the side boundary between properties; however these locations do not always coincide with the spacing requirements of the lighting design.  If an adjacent property has not been developed (e.g. a new subdivision) and the column cannot be positioned in line with the common boundary, locate the column at least six metres from the boundary to allow for a future vehicle entrance.

Position columns at least one metre away from a vehicle entrance or kerb cut-down.  Keep columns clear of any tree canopies in the road or in adjacent properties to prevent shading of the luminaire.  Trees in a legal road or on Council land must be at least six metres away from lighting columns and more clearance may be necessary for some tree species or if the tree is protected.  Consider the Council requirements for working near to existing trees when locating lighting columns.

When positioning a column against the building line, ensure that it is installed within the legal road or on Council land, and not in private property.

Where possible, columns should be located close to reserve entrances, bus stops and other open spaces to improve safety.

Consider traffic safety when placing lighting columns, especially when they are on or near bends, intersections, threshold treatments, road humps and roundabouts.

3.14.2.5    Column Installation and Foundations

Columns shall be installed as per the manufacturer’s requirements.

If the road is at a different level from where the column is being located, design for columns that will achieve the correct mounting height above the road surface to ensure the installed lighting complies with the design requirements.  For each light type the mounting height must be uniform and consistent.

Where the longitudinal grade may exceed 1 in 6 or the cross-fall of a road may exceed 6%, it may not be possible to service the light from a cherry-picker.  In these situations discuss alternative column types with Council (e.g. columns that will allow the light to be serviced via a ladder).

When a special foundation is required provide a producer statement when applying for engineering approval.  Include a hold-point for construction to allow inspection of the foundation before concrete is poured.

When columns requiring special maintenance visits are specified (e.g. frangible – shear base columns), provide Council with a maintenance plan detailing maintenance intervals and work/inspections that need to be carried out.

3.14.2.6    Lighting Equipment

The design life of equipment shall be as shown in the following table:

 Notes:

All bolts and fittings shall have the same life expectancy as the component.

The design life of luminaires is the expected service life based on manufacturer’s data and expected 5% failure rate.  Note that lamp manufacturers may publish average rated life at 50% failure rate; this is too long if a lamp replacement programme is implemented.  Typical operating hours of road lighting networks within New Zealand is approximately 4,200 hours per annum.

Luminaires, columns and outreach arms that are used in new schemes should be compatible with adjacent lighting and, where practicable, visually match the existing road lighting.

For efficient maintenance, the types of lighting equipment used are usually limited to those already in the lighting network.  Introduction of new equipment requires approval from Council prior to use.

Provide detailed information on the design drawings about the columns, outreach arms, luminaires and lamps proposed to be used in the scheme.

3.14.2.7    Category P Lighting in Cycleways and Paths in Reserves

Category P lighting for cycleways and paths in reserves shall be designed to help users to orientate themselves and detect potential hazards.  The designer shall take into consideration the Category P requirements and the principles of “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design”.

The minimum mounting height is 5.5 m and the maximum is 7.5 m.  However, if the lights are located near trees it may be appropriate for the lights to be mounted at a lower height to illuminate underneath the tree canopy and avoid shadowing.  In this case a minimum mounting height of 4.5 m may be accepted.