A new report into decarbonisation of street lighting has detailed how millions of pounds a year and hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 could be saved by replacing them with solar road studs or reflective markings, without any negative effect on road safety.
The East Riding of Yorkshire’s “Right Lighting, Right Place, Right Time” document reports on a Department for Transport/ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport) Live Labs 2 project which saw streetlighting switched off and replaced by Clearview Intelligence SolarLite road studs, or more reflecting lining paint.
The SolarLite road studs use high-visibility LED light to deliver clear guidance in all weather and lighting conditions – unlike traditional reflective studs which only shine when they are illuminated by headlights. Previous research found the LED light gives drivers more time to react to road layouts, forthcoming junctions, or hazards, and can be seen for up to 900m, reducing crash rates by more than 70% compared to traditional lighting.
In the Live Labs 2 trial, the East Riding of Yorkshire looked at the feasibility or replacing overhead streetlighting with SolarLite studs. They found that since the replacement there has been no rise in collisions or speeds, and that road users have given positive feedback.
The Live Labs 2 project is providing evidence for other authorities across the country to use in their carbon reduction programmes and has come up with a range of suggestions when it comes to streetlight switch-off. These include: light only where necessary, prioritise pedestrians and vulnerable users – lighting for people and not just vehicles, use electric lighting as a last resort and to use solar-powered road studs such as Clearview Intelligence SolarLites.
Karl Rourke, the council’s service manager for street lighting, who is leading the project, said: “The East Riding is proud to have been at the forefront of this innovative project which should lead to a significant reduction in carbon and energy on UK roads.”
“Rather than local authorities designing in swathes of street lighting on new road developments, because that’s what they’ve always done, they now have the evidence to take a completely new, greener and more efficient approach,” added Clearview’s Head of Business Development Ralph Bates. “Thanks to ADEPT and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, we have shown that there’s a better way of doing things with huge carbon and financial savings.”
The three-year, £30 million, UK-wide Live Labs 2 programme funded by the Department for Transport will run until March 2026, with a five-year subsequent, extended monitoring and evaluation period. Seven projects, grouped by four interconnected themes, are being led by local authorities working alongside commercial and academic partners.
(Picture – Clearview Intelligence)
