Cost effectiveness of street lighting

Abstract

[Abstract]: Lighting has become an integral part of good road design practice. There is global evidence that suggests appropriate lighting can reduce road crashes, improve traffic operation and discourage illegal acts. It is because of these benefits that the general community has come to expect a certain level of lighting on heavily trafficked routes. Road authorities have a duty of care to provide this safe environment for all road users. Road crash can be very expensive and not providing crash prevention measures could leave road authorities open to litigation. Therefore, the costs saved by the installation of suitable road lighting can often far outweigh the outlay required for its installation. This project seeks to examine for any benefits that may be achieved by upgrading existing lighting to the current Australian Standard and incorporating more efficient designs. The existing lighting on a section of the Warrego Highway in Toowoomba, Queensland, was examined against the current Australian Standard AS/NZS1158. This project examined the costs associated with upgrading any light deficient areas to the levels set out in the Australian Standard against the estimated cost savings that may be achieved from reduced road crash costs as a result of that upgrade. It was found that some intersections along the study section of highway had a high percentage of night time crashes and were also deficient for lighting to what is required by the Australian Standard. It was estimated that improved lighting could achieve savings to the public of up to $60,000 per year on a single intersection. This study cannot give a definitive answer as to which way to go in terms of whether upgrading existing lighting to the current Australian Standard is warranted in terms of cost effectiveness, but gives a problem solving process for the possible identification of night time crash black spots. Once identified, these black spots need to be looked at and analysed on an individual basis.