Illuminance and Luminance Design Values for Continuous Lighting

The recommended lighting levels for continuous lighting are in the table below. These values are based on Table 3-5a from the AASHTO Roadway Lighting Design Guide.
The table below contains the recommended illuminance and luminance values for continuous lighting of roadways based on roadway type and general land use. Either the illuminance method, the luminance method, or both methods may be used to specify the light levels for the roadway.
Illuminance and Luminance Design Values
Roadway and Walkway Classification (4)
Area Classifications
Illuminance Method
Luminance Method
Additional Values
(both methods)
Average Maintained Illuminance (Eavg)
Minimum Illuminance Emin
Illuminance Uniformity Ratio
Eavg/Emin
Average Maintained Luminance
Veiling Luminance Ratio
R2
Lavg
Uniformity
General Land Use
(foot-candles) (min)
(foot-candles)
avg/min (max)(3)
cd/m2 (min)
Lavg/Lmin (max)
Lmax/Lmin (max)
Lv(max)/Lavg(max)(2)
Interstate and other freeways
Commercial
0.6 to 1.1
0.2
3:1 or 4:1
0.4 to 1.0
3.5:1
6:1
0.3:1
Intermediate
0.6 to 0.9
0.2
3:1 or 4:1
0.4 to 0.8
3.5:1
6:1
0.3:1
Residential
0.6 to 0.8
0.2
3:1 or 4:1
0.4 to 0.6
3.5:1
6:1
0.3:1
Other Principal Arterials
(partial or no control of access)
Commercial
1.6
As
uniformity ratio allows
3:1
1.2
3:1
5:1
0.3:1
Intermediate
1.2
3:1
0.9
3:1
5:1
0.3:1
Residential
0.8
3:1
0.6
3.5:1
6:1
0.3:1
Minor Arterials
Commercial
1.4
4:1
1.2
3:1
5:1
0.3:1
Intermediate
1.0
4:1
0.9
3:1
5:1
0.3:1
Residential
0.7
4:1
0.6
3.5:1
6:1
0.3:1
Collectors
Commercial
1.1
4:1
0.8
3:1
5:1
0.4:1
Intermediate
0.8
4:1
0.6
3.5:1
6:1
0.4:1
Residential
0.6
4:1
0.4
4:1
8:1
0.4:1
Local
Commercial
0.8
6:1
0.6
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Intermediate
0.7
6:1
0.5
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Residential
0.4
6:1
0.3
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Alleys
Commercial
0.6
6:1
0.4
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Intermediate
0.4
6:1
0.3
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Residential
0.3
6:1
0.2
6:1
10:1
0.4:1
Sidewalks
Commercial
1.3
3:1
Use illuminance requirements
Intermediate
0.8
4:1
Residential
0.4
6:1
Pedestrian Ways and Bicycle Ways(1)
All
2.0
3:1
Notes:
  • Meet either the Illuminance design method requirements or the Luminance design method requirements and meet veiling luminance requirements for both the Illuminance and Luminance design methods.
  • There may be situations when a higher level of illuminance or luminance is justified. The higher values for freeways may be justified when deemed advantageous by the agency to mitigate off-road sources.
  • Physical roadway conditions may require adjustment of spacing determined from base levels of illuminance or luminance indicated above.
  1. Assumes a separate facility. For Pedestrian Ways and Bicycle Ways adjacent to roadway, use roadway design values. Use R3 requirements for walkway/bikeway surface materials other than pavement types shown. Other design guidelines such as IESNA or CIE may be used for pedestrian ways and bikeways when deemed appropriate.
  2. Lv(max) refers to the maximum point along the pavement, not the maximum in lamp life. The Maintenance Factor applies to both the Lv term and the Lavg term.
  3. Higher uniformity ratios are acceptable for elevated ramps near high-mast poles.
  4. See AASHTO publication entitled “A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets” for roadway and walkway classifications.