Street Light
ELM-STL-26 Recommended Element
Street Light
A pole-mounted luminaire providing illumination for the roadway, typically mounted at a height and spacing designed primarily to serve vehicle visibility and drivers, though its light also reaches the surrounding sidewalk and public realm.
Why this pattern exists
Adequate roadway illumination reduces nighttime crash risk by improving driver visibility of the roadway edge, other vehicles, and pedestrians; this pattern exists to document the mounting height, spacing, and output considerations specific to vehicle-oriented lighting, distinct from the pedestrian-scale lighting that serves a different visual task.1
Key considerations
- Mounting height and spacing should follow established illumination standards for the roadway’s classification and speed, not a uniform default across all street types
- Light spillover and glare onto adjacent properties should be minimized through fixture selection and shielding
- Uniformity of illumination along a corridor matters more than peak brightness at any single point; dark gaps between light poles undermine the pattern’s purpose
Related patterns
Pedestrian-scale Lighting (ELM-PSL-27) (the companion lighting pattern serving a different visual task and height); relevant Segment patterns this lighting serves