DS CEN/TR 13201-1:2014

Road lighting - Part 1: Guidelines on selection of lighting classes

Scope

This Technical Report specifies the lighting classes set out in EN 13201-2 and gives guidelines on the selection of the most appropriate class for a given situation. To do this, it includes a system to define appropriate lighting classes for different outdoor public areas in terms of parameters relevant to guarantee the aims presented in introductions.
The decision on whether a road should be lit is defined in the national road lighting policy. This varies by country or municipality. Specific guidelines are usually available at national level for each country. This Technical Report does not give the criteria on which a decision to light an area can be made, nor on how a lighting installation should be used. Further guidance is given in CIE 115:2010 (Paragraph 1.2 and Annex A).
The methods presented in Clauses 5, 6 and 7 have to be considered as the starting points of a comprehensive approach for the normal road lighting. In that sense, the models cannot cover all the different road cases; they introduce general parameters and the impact on lighting requirements. Only the real situation and its unique characteristics (geometry of the road, marking, visual environment, difficulty of the navigation task, lack of visibility, risks of glares due to existing elements, local weather, specific users such as high rate of elderly or visually impaired people, etc.) can lead to a final determination of the appropriate lighting class applying risk evaluation techniques.
The visual needs of road users under reduced traffic volumes during certain periods of night or under varying weather conditions, and the positive benefits of reduced energy consumption and potential environmental improvements, are some of the considerations which justify the installation of adaptive road lighting. There are a variety of suitable instruments, devices and methods which can be used for the intelligent control of a road lighting installation. The control systems range from very simple to the most sophisticated applications. Annex B is of assistance in choosing the correct lighting level when adaptive lighting is used as it provides a more refined evaluation of the luminance or illuminance levels within the specific lighting class. Whilst the luminance or illuminance levels may be varied to suit reduced traffic volumes, weather conditions or other parameters the quality parameters of the applicable lighting class specified in EN 13201-2 should be maintained at all times.
Renewal or refurbishment of obsolete and uneconomic installations is important. It may be possible to obtain more adapted lighting levels with lower energy consumption using new designs and new technology. The upgrading of lighting and control systems will often give good cost-benefit ratios and short amortisation periods.
This document does not give guidelines on the selection of lighting classes for toll stations, tunnels or canals and locks.