---
title: "Pedestrian-scale Lighting"
url: "https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/pedestrian-scale-lighting/"
id: "ELM-PSL-27"
description: "A lower-mounted luminaire, typically 10-15 feet in height, providing illumination calibrated to serve pedestrians on a sidewalk, sized and spaced to support the pedestrian visual task rather than the vehicle-oriented task a standard street light serves."
updated: "2026-09-26"
---

# Pedestrian-scale Lighting

`ELM-PSL-27`

Recommended Element

Pedestrian-scale Lighting

A lower-mounted luminaire, typically 10-15 feet in height, providing illumination calibrated to serve pedestrians on a sidewalk, sized and spaced to support the pedestrian visual task rather than the vehicle-oriented task a standard street light serves.

## Why this pattern exists

Standard street lighting is mounted and spaced for vehicle sightlines, which often leaves the sidewalk under-illuminated or produces harsh, high-angle light poorly suited to a pedestrian’s closer-range visual needs (facial recognition, uneven surface detection, personal security). This pattern exists to document the distinct scale and spacing considerations pedestrian lighting requires.[1]

## Key considerations

-   Mounting height and spacing should be calibrated to the pedestrian visual task, not simply a shorter version of vehicle-scale fixture spacing
-   Light color and quality (warmth, glare control) affect both perceived safety and neighborhood character, and should be considered alongside pure illumination levels
-   Should be considered a standard companion to Street Light on any corridor with meaningful pedestrian activity, not an optional upgrade

## Related patterns

[Street Light](https://commonwaysystem.org/patterns/elements/street-light.md) (ELM-STL-26) (the companion vehicle-oriented lighting pattern); relevant Local and Collector Segment patterns where pedestrian activity is expected

## References

1.  Legal / regulatory [ANSI/IES RP-8-25, "Lighting Roadway and Parking Facilities." The same standard also sets pedestrian-volume-based illuminance criteria for sidewalks, distinct from its vehicle-oriented roadway tables, since this pattern serves a different visual task.](https://store.ies.org/product/recommended-practice-lighting-roadway-and-parking-facilities/)