Although road lighting is good, and has many benefits, it also has several environmental disadvantages. It consumes a considerable amount of energy. It adversely affects the visual environment in several ways. It has potentially harmful effects on the life of plants and animals. It should be used in a way that is sensitive to these environmental issues, to minimise its negative consequences. Local authorities have a responsibility to consider these issues, and have agreed to do so as part of Local Agenda 21. Every highway authority should have a formal statement of its road lighting policies, which should introduce or improve significant environmental elements in decisions about the provision, class, level, type, and operation of all public lighting on highways. It should do this by defining environmental zones within its area of jurisdiction. This paper discusses several questions about lighting policy in relation to these zones: (1) where to provide lighting; (2) what class of lighting to provide, when; (3) what light control is necessary; (4) what light sources should be used; and (5) how to minimise energy consumption. The use of appropriate policies, standards and new technology could together reduce the energy consumption of road lighting in the UK by 25%.
Abstract