First-class street lighting in residential areas

The only way we can get these light installations just right is by taking several important factors into account.

Getting the street lighting in residential areas just right

Street lighting in residential areas needs to be designed so that it looks attractive but is also fit for a very important purpose. For example, it must make it easy for people and traffic to navigate the local area safely. Importantly, it also serves as a means of dissuading individuals from committing crimes since numerous studies have shown that delinquency is comparatively lower in well-lit neighbourhoods. In addition, given that the lights in residential areas are lit for several hours a day, their electricity consumption levels are another very important consideration. LED technology can foster sustainability and energy efficiency.

There are generally many buildings in residential neighbourhoods, including blocks of flats and houses, in addition to other types of infrastructures and facilities. For example, gardens, parks, open spaces, streets, squares, shops, etc.

Taking into account the points mentioned above, the following are important considerations for when we embark on street lighting projects:

• visibility and uniformity at all times,
• the useful life of luminaires,
• energy efficiency,
• balanced luminous flux,
• favourable chromatic reproduction indices,
• no glare,
• appropriate light distribution in key areas,
• installation costs,
• management and adaptability of the installation.

We can group the above into three overriding themes: the safety of the general public, visibility and colour tones.

Safety of the general public

When the lights on our streets are suitably designed and installed, they help us feel safe. Scientific experiments have even demonstrated that good street lighting brings local crime rates down. Neighbourhoods that have traditionally been areas of conflict and street crime hotspots have experienced a decrease in crime rates following installation of quality street lights.

Studies have demonstrated this, but the logic behind it is easy to comprehend: when the light is good, it is much easier to recognise the people around us or anyone who is captured on CCTV. Quite simply, light dissuades delinquents from committing crimes.

Visibility

Good illumination enhances visibility. This makes local traffic less of a danger and reduces the frequency of accidents between vehicles and the number of people who get knocked down.

In addition, LED street lighting is not just an advantage when it comes to energy efficiency. It also makes places such as parks and recreation areas more functional.

Colour tones

The colour tone of the lights we use is very important because of the impact it can have on people and fauna. White lights, whether they are cold, neutral or warm, can cause light pollution. Nonetheless, the tone should be as neutral as possible so that is does not have a negative impact on the hours of darkness. LED residential lights are available in a huge variety of options and can help us avoid radiation peaks with a potentially negative impact.

The best luminaires for residential areas

The colour temperature used on street lighting luminaires in residential areas tends to be around 3000 K. Temperatures ranging between 2700 K and 4000 K are the most common of all.

LED technology has become an increasingly popular option in residential areas. Traditional technology has been progressively replaced with LEDs because they are much more energy efficient. They also have a longer useful life and present fewer operation issues. They come in a range of shapes and sizes.

We can fit them onto posts or façades, as recessed lights or even at ground level. Bollards or signage luminaires are a common feature in residential neighbourhoods.

Rules and regulations

The Government of Spain is currently updating the regulations that provide the framework for street lighting requirements. A royal decree will be introduced to replace existing RD 1890/2008 of 14 November which included the energy efficiency regulations for outdoor lighting and the EA-01 to EA-07 complementary technical indications.

The new regulations will address application of new technologies and illumination control. These innovations are linked to LED devices with control systems which mean that the luminous flux can be adjusted to suit environmental conditions. It will also include updates on savings and energy efficiency.

In fact, the requirements for illumination of this kind are very closely linked to these concepts and include factors such as:

• optimised consumption,
• durability,
• adaptability and controlled light projection and intensity.

SECOM street lights

Neighbourhoods that wish to install quality street lighting to improve safety can request guidance from SECOM. We have a huge range of options in terms of street lighting devices.

Ura and Regal. These lights have a classic design. They can be fitted to walls using a bracket.

Ripa and Ray Ben. These lights have a contemporary design. They can be fitted to walls using a bracket.

Noox solar street light. This luminaire runs on solar power. It is particularly good for 100% sustainable street light installations and perfect for places where there is no source of electric power.

LED optical group. These optic groups can be adapted to suit any conventional luminaires that use traditional technology.

The street lighting in residential areas has a considerable impact on society because it affects how we live and socialise. Efficient, resistant and compact street lighting provides homogeneous and uniform results and makes our lives easier. Not only can it give monuments and specific places of interest the prominence they deserve, it also renders outdoor spaces safe and turns them places we want to use even after dark.