REDUCED FREEWAY LIGHTING

The paper discusses various systems that have been employed to reduce roadway lighting, their costs, benefits, and potential legal problems that must be addressed. Two general types of systems were identified: 1) older and oil-embargo related systems, such as extinguishing the lighting on all or part of specified roadways during various time periods and 2) modern systems that are controlled by special ballasts, electronic sensors and controls, and computers. It is concluded that under both the common law and state Tort Claims Acts, the specter of liability is present for a municipal entity which seeks to reduce or eliminate lighting on its highways during periods of low traffic density. Any municipal agency which undertakes such a program will be well advised to do so only after extensive scientific research and study.

• Corporate Authors:

  Illuminating Engineering Society

  120 Wall Street, 17th Floor
  New York, NY  United States  10005-4001
• Authors:
  • Janoff, M S
  • Zlotnick, N L
• Publication Date: 1985-8

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 35-42
• Serial:
  • Lighting Design and Application
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Illuminating Engineering Society

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost accounting; Energy conservation; Freeways; Highway engineering; Illuminating engineering; Legal factors; Legislation; Liability; Lighting systems; Reduction (Chemistry); Street lighting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Outdoor
• Old TRIS Terms: Electric lighting; Freeway lighting; Legal implications; Reduced freeway lighting; Reduction
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Environment; Finance; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00450845
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:56PM