Average and Minimum Maintained Illuminance Levels on Road Surfaces: Standards & Best Practices
Discover the standard illuminance levels required for road lighting, including average and minimum maintained lux values. Learn how they affect safety, visibility, and solar street light design.
Illuminance levels are a key factor in road safety, driver visibility, and overall lighting system performance. In the field of solar-powered street lighting, understanding average and minimum maintained illuminance levels helps engineers, developers, and city planners meet international safety standards and ensure energy-efficient lighting designs.
What Is Illuminance?
Illuminance is the amount of light (measured in lux) that falls on a surface. In road lighting, it refers to how brightly the road is lit, affecting visibility for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Standard Illuminance Values for Road Lighting
International lighting standards such as EN 13201 (Europe) and IES RP-8 (North America) define recommended illuminance levels based on road type, traffic volume, vehicle speed, and pedestrian activity.
| Road Type | Average Illuminance (Eavg) | Minimum Illuminance (Emin) | Uniformity (Emin / Eavg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expressways / Major Roads | 20–30 lux | ≥ 7.5 lux | ≥ 0.25 |
| Collector Roads / Suburban Roads | 10–20 lux | ≥ 5 lux | ≥ 0.3 |
| Residential Streets / Local Roads | 5–10 lux | ≥ 2 lux | ≥ 0.35 |
| Pedestrian / Bicycle Paths | 2–5 lux | ≥ 1 lux | ≥ 0.4 |
Note: Exact requirements may vary depending on local standards and lighting classes (e.g., ME1–ME6 in EN 13201).
Why Are Maintained Illuminance Levels Important?
“Maintained” illuminance refers to the lighting level remaining after depreciation from factors like aging, dust, and dirt. Designing for these levels ensures consistent safety and visibility throughout the system’s lifecycle.
How Queneng Ensures Compliance with Lighting Standards
GuangDong Queneng Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. delivers solar street lighting solutions that comply with global standards. We provide:
- ✅ Customized lighting simulations based on road width, pole height, and traffic level
- ✅ High-efficiency LED optics for wide and even light distribution
- ✅ Long-lasting brightness using LM-80 certified LEDs and smart dimming
- ✅ Engineering support for photometric design and system optimization
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1: What is the difference between average and minimum illuminance?
- A1: Average illuminance is the mean value across the entire surface, while minimum illuminance refers to the darkest measured point.
- Q2: Why is lighting uniformity important?
- A2: High uniformity reduces dark patches and glare, enhancing visibility and visual comfort.
- Q3: Can solar street lights meet these illuminance levels?
- A3: Yes. With proper design, solar lights from Queneng can meet or exceed EN 13201 and IES RP-8 standards.
- Q4: What factors affect road surface illuminance?
- A4: Key factors include pole height, lamp wattage, lens optics, pole spacing, and the road surface reflectance.
- Q5: How often should road lighting be audited?
- A5: Every 2–3 years, or when structural or environmental changes (like tree growth) occur near the lighting area.
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Conclusion
Understanding average and minimum maintained illuminance is critical to designing safe and efficient lighting systems. At GuangDong Queneng Lighting Technology Co., Ltd., we deliver smart solar lighting solutions that ensure proper lighting levels in compliance with international standards.
For custom lighting designs, simulation support, or project consultation, contact our team today.
Have more questions about our products or services?
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FAQ
Sustainability
How should I maintain solar street lights for optimal performance?
To ensure optimal performance, we recommend cleaning and inspecting the lights every 6–12 months. Regularly cleaning the photovoltaic panels, checking the battery health, and confirming the integrity of the lights and control systems are essential for long-term reliable operation.
Solar Street Light Luqing
Are solar street lights easy to install?
Yes, solar street lights are easy to install. They do not require external wiring or connections to the electrical grid. The installation process is straightforward and typically involves mounting the light pole, positioning the solar panel, and securing the battery and lighting unit.
who we are
How can I contact Queneng for inquiries or product support?
You can contact us through our website, where you can find contact forms, customer service phone numbers, and email addresses. Our support team is available to assist with any inquiries, product information, or technical support you may need.
Solar Street Light Luyan
What types of batteries are used in Luyan solar street lights, and how do they work?
Luyan solar street lights use high-quality lithium-ion batteries. These batteries store the solar energy captured during the day and provide reliable illumination at night. Lithium-ion batteries are known for their longer lifespan, faster charging times, and better energy storage compared to traditional lead-acid batteries.
Battery Performance and Testing
What is the standard charge retention test?
After the battery is discharged to 1.0V at 0.2C, it is charged at 0.1C for 16 hours, stored at a temperature of 20℃±5℃ and a humidity of 65%±20% for 28 days, and then discharged to 1.0V at 0.2C. NiMH batteries should last longer than 3 hours.
The national standard stipulates that the standard charge retention test of lithium batteries is: (IEC has no relevant standards) The battery is discharged to 3.0/unit at 0.2C, and then charged to 4.2V at 1C constant current and constant voltage, with a cut-off current of 10mA, at a temperature of 20 ℃±5℃, after 28 days of storage, discharge at 0.2C to 2.75V, calculate the discharge capacity, and compare it with the battery's nominal capacity, it should not be less than 85% of the initial capacity.
Battery Types and Applications
What types of rechargeable batteries are there? Which devices are they suitable for?
Features: High capacity, environmentally friendly (no mercury, lead, cadmium), overcharge protection
Application equipment: audio equipment, video recorders, mobile phones, cordless phones, emergency lights, notebook computers
Ni-MH prismatic battery
Features: High capacity, environmentally friendly, overcharge protection
Application equipment: audio equipment, video recorders, mobile phones, cordless phones, emergency lights, notebook computers
NiMH button battery
Features: High capacity, environmentally friendly, overcharge protection
Application equipment: mobile phones, cordless phones
Nickel cadmium round battery
Features: High load capacity
Application equipment: audio equipment, power tools
Nickel cadmium button battery
Features: High load capacity
Application equipment: Cordless phones, memory
Lithium Ion Battery
Features: High load capacity, high energy density
Application equipment: mobile phones, laptops, video recorders
Lead-acid batteries
Features: Cheap, easy to process, short life, heavy weight
Application equipment: ships, automobiles, miner's lamps, etc.
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