5 Essential Street Lighting Solutions for Winter

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, effective street lighting becomes crucial for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. For housebuilders and councils alike, implementing the right lighting solutions can make all the difference during the challenging winter months.

Let’s shed some light on five essential solutions that can transform your developments and public spaces.

Street Light Solution #1: LED Technology

When it comes to winter street lighting, LED technology is a game-changer. It offers:

• Significant cost savings through reduced energy consumption (Djuretic & Kostic, 2018)
• Improved visibility in harsh winter conditions thanks to their bright, clear light
• Increased lifespan, requiring fewer replacements

LED streetlights are an investment that pays dividends in both the short and long term. They are particularly effective in residential areas, where consistent, high-quality lighting is essential to community safety.

Street Light Solution #2: Smart Lighting System

The future of street lighting is smart, and it is especially beneficial during the winter months. Smart lighting systems offer:

• Remote monitoring and control, allowing for quick adjustments to lighting schedules
• Adaptive lighting that responds to changing weather conditions or traffic patterns (Shahzad et al., 2016)
• Data collection capabilities to inform future lighting strategies

For councils, smart lighting systems provide unprecedented control over street lighting infrastructure, ensuring optimal illumination while minimising energy waste. Housebuilders can leverage these systems to create more attractive, efficient developments that appeal to modern homebuyers.

Street Light Solution #3: Anti-Glare and Directional Lighting

Winter weather conditions can exacerbate issues with glare and light pollution. Anti-glare and directional lighting solutions offer:

• Reduced light pollution, preserving the night sky and minimising disturbance to wildlife
• Enhanced safety for drivers and pedestrians by directing light where it is needed most (Beccali et al., 2019)
• Improved aesthetics in residential areas, contributing to a more pleasant living environment

The solutions are particularly valuable in areas with mixed residential and commercial use, where balancing visibility and comfort is crucial.

Street Light Solution #4: Weatherproof and Durable Fixtures

Winter can be harsh on street lighting infrastructure. Investing in weatherproof and durable fixtures ensures:

• Resilience against snow, ice and freezing temperatures
• Reduced maintenance needs and associated costs (Ożadowicz & Grela, 2017)
• Consistent performance throughout the winter months and beyond

These robust solutions offer peace of mind and long-term reliability, even in the face of challenging weather conditions.

Street Light Solution #5: Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Options

As we become increasingly aware of our environmental impact, sustainable street lighting solutions are more important than ever. Consider:

• Solar-powered lighting options can be surprisingly effective even in winter
• Energy-efficient designs that minimise carbon footprint
• Materials and manufacturing processes that prioritise sustainability (Campisi et al., 2018)

These eco-friendly options can lead to significant cost savings over time, making them an attractive choice for forward-thinking housebuilders and councils.

The Aptus Advantage

At Aptus, we specialise in comprehensive street lighting services tailored to the unique needs of housebuilders and councils. Our expertise includes:

• Custom lighting design and planning
• Installation of cutting-edge lighting solutions
• Ongoing maintenance and support

By partnering with Aptus, you can ensure that your winter street lighting not only meets but exceeds expectations, creating safer, more efficient, and more attractive spaces for residents and visitors alike.
Contact our street lighting team today to find out more, or request a quote and we’ll get back to you promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can LED street lighting reduce energy costs during winter?

LED street lighting can reduce energy costs by up to 50-70% compared to traditional lighting systems (Djuretic & Kostic, 2018), with even greater savings possible during the longer winter nights.

What are the benefits of smart lighting systems for councils?

Smart lighting systems offer councils remote control, adaptive lighting capabilities, and data collection for informed decision-making, leading to improved efficiency and reduced operational costs.

How Do weatherproof fixtures improve long-term reliability?

Weatherproof fixtures are designed to withstand harsh winter conditions, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements and ensuring consistent performance throughout the season.

Can solar-powered lighting be effective in winter months?

Yes, modern solar-powered lighting systems can be effective in winter, especially when combined with efficient battery storage technology and smart energy management systems.

Sources

Beccali, M., Bonomolo, M., Ciulla, G., Galatioto, A., & Lo Brano, V. (2019). Improvement of energy efficiency and quality of street lighting in South Italy as an action of Sustainable Energy Action Plans. The case study of Comiso (RG). Energy, 166, 976-990.

Campisi, D., Gitto, S., & Morea, D. (2018). Economic feasibility of energy efficiency improvements in street lighting systems in Rome. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175, 190-198.

Djuretic, A., & Kostic, M. (2018). Actual energy savings when replacing high-pressure sodium with LED street lighting luminaires. Energy, 157, 367-378.

Ożadowicz, A., & Grela, J. (2017). Energy saving in the street lighting control system—a new approach based on the EN-15232 standard. Energy Efficiency, 10(3), 563-576.

Shahzad, G., Yang, H., Ahmad, A. W., & Lee, C. (2016). Energy-efficient intelligent street lighting system using traffic-adaptive control. IEEE Sensors Journal, 16(13), 5397-5405.

Published on 8th October 2024