Guide to LED Street and Road Lighting

The shift to LED has transformed how municipalities, property owners and contractors plan street and road lighting. Modern LED luminaires consume a fraction of the energy of old sodium and mercury lamps, last far longer and deliver a more even and reassuring light. In this guide we cover the benefits of LED street lighting, how to size the right light output for different road types, what you need to know about optics, ingress protection and light pollution, and how a retrofit works in practice.

Why LED for street lighting?

The economic and technical reasons to switch to LED are compelling. A modern LED street lamp delivers the same or better light than an older luminaire but uses 50 to 70 percent less energy. On top of that come several other advantages.

• Long lifespan: 50,000 to 100,000 hours, greatly reducing maintenance and lamp replacements.
• Instant start: Full brightness immediately, with no warm-up time like sodium lamps.
• Better colour rendering: White light makes people and vehicles more visible than the yellow-orange sodium light.
• Controllability: LED can be dimmed and connected to presence detection or a central control system for further savings.

Together this means the investment often pays for itself within a few years through lower energy and maintenance costs.

Lumens and wattage per road type

The right light level depends on the road type, width, traffic volume and pole height. Light output in lumens determines how much light the luminaire delivers, while wattage describes power consumption. The table below gives indicative reference values for common road types. Final sizing should always follow applicable requirements under EN 13201 and local guidelines.

A common mistake is to focus on wattage and assume more watts always means more light. With LED it is efficiency, measured in lumens per watt, that matters. Modern luminaires often reach 130 to 160 lm/W, meaning an efficient luminaire can deliver more light at lower power.

Optics and beam

The optics determine how light is distributed across the carriageway and are at least as important as the light output. A well-designed lens optic directs light where it is needed and minimises glare and spill. Common distribution types are often given as Type II, III and IV, where a narrow distribution suits narrow footpaths and cycle paths and a wider distribution suits broad carriageways. The goal is an even beam with no dark patches between poles, which improves both security and road safety. See our range of street lighting for luminaires with different optic options.

IP66 and durability

Outdoor luminaires are exposed to rain, snow, dust and large temperature swings. Street lighting should therefore have at least ingress protection IP66, meaning a fully dust-tight housing and protection against powerful water jets. In locations at risk of physical impact, impact resistance to an IK rating (for example IK08 or IK10) is also important. A robust aluminium construction with good heat dissipation further extends the lifespan of the LED module. You will find more rugged luminaires for demanding environments among our outdoor lighting.

Light pollution and directed light

Light pollution, meaning unnecessary light spilling upward and sideways, is an increasingly important issue. Excessive or misdirected lighting disturbs wildlife, obscures the night sky and wastes energy. With LED and the right optics, light can be directed precisely down onto the carriageway. Choose luminaires with low upward light output (Upward Light Output near zero) and consider a warmer colour temperature around 3000K in sensitive areas, since less blue light disturbs insects and nocturnal animals less. Dimming during the quiet hours of the night further reduces both light pollution and energy consumption.

Retrofit: how to switch to LED

A retrofit means replacing existing luminaires with LED, often on the same poles. Here is how a typical project unfolds.

1. Survey: Map existing poles, luminaires, power and condition.
2. Lighting calculation: Calculate the requirement per road type under EN 13201 and select luminaires with the right output and optics.
3. Pilot installation: Test on one section to verify the beam and experience before full rollout.
4. Installation: Replace luminaires, adapt brackets and connect any controls.
5. Follow-up: Measure actual energy use and light level against target values.

To estimate the number of luminaires and light requirement for a project, you can use our lighting calculator, or contact us for sizing. By combining efficient luminaires, the right optics and smart controls, you get street lighting that is safer, cheaper to run and gentler on the environment.