Illumination/Electrical

General
Roadway illumination normally falls into one of several categories: continuous lighting; safety lighting; and bikeway and pedestrian lighting. Illumination may be provided by the LG on eligible roadways where conditions warrant installation. Guidance is contained in TxDOT’s
Highway Illumination Manual
. The LG may have applicable ordinances that apply to transportation illumination.
Electrical work is covered by TxDOT
standards and specifications
. Applicability to all possible situations is outside the scope of the LGPP Manual.
Federal Requirements
  1. 23 CFR §655.603
    – Provides that the
    National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
    (MUTCD) is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway or bicycle trail open to public travel. A state MUTCD must be in substantial conformance with the national MUTCD.
  2. MUTCD Section 2A.07-08
    – Requires all regulatory, warning and guide signs to be either retroreflective or illuminated to show the same shape and similar color both day and night. Street or highway lighting is not included in this requirement.
  3. There are no federal statutes for general roadway illumination. However,
    23 CFR §635.410 – Buy America Requirements
    applies when furnishing steel light poles.
    23 CFR §635.411 – Material or Product Selection
    does not allow proprietary materials to be used on federal-aid projects.
State Requirements
  1. Texas Occupations Code §1305.003(a) (5)(C)
    , Electricians – Provides that the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act (
    Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1305 et seq.
    ) does not apply to highway work.
  2. 43 TAC §§5.59
    ,
    15.56
    ,
    26.33
    and
    27.56
    – Requires projects to be designed in accordance with TxDOT procedures, standards and guidelines. For regional mobility authority (RMA), toll and pass-through financed projects, preliminary design information must be sent to TxDOT for review and approval when the design is approximately 30 percent complete.
  3. 43 TAC §25.11
    – Gives the requirements for financing and installation of continuous lighting and safety lighting systems on the state highway system.
  4. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 425
    – Provides standards to be met if state funds are used for the installation or operation of outdoor lighting fixtures. TxDOT must also determine that the purpose of the outdoor lighting fixture on the state highway system cannot be achieved by other methods as a condition of participation with state funds.
Required Practices
The
LGPM Guide
provides the required practices and LG and TxDOT responsibilities for illumination projects. In general, the LG should follow the TxDOT
Highway Illumination Manual
and coordinate closely with the TxDOT district. Overhead sign installations should not be illuminated unless supported by an engineering study.