4.0 Geometric and Safety Design

4.8.3 Recommended Guidelines

Lighting Design Issues

According to the AASHTO “Green Book”, where there are concentrations of pedestrians and roadside intersectional interferences, fixed-source lighting tends to reduce crashes. The “Green Book” does mention that toll plazas are usually lighted. Due to the amount of activity from traffic weaving, diverging, merging and stopping in the approach and departure zones, and the presence of fixed objects mounted in front of and to the toll island(s) adjacent to the toll lane, properly designed luminaries are critical to maintaining safety and operational efficiency through the plaza.

Some of the significant issues that should be addressed when designing toll plaza lighting include the following:

design should strive to eliminate harsh glare on approaching and departing motorists,
reduce lighting spillover into adjacent properties, especially residential areas,
provide a smooth transition from toll lane lighting to departure zone lighting,
maintain uniform lighting through a toll lane,
minimize the quantity of plaza approach and departure lights standards and poles, that effectively pose a roadway hazard,
conceal conduit to canopy mounted luminaries,
protect approach and departure lighting poles and foundations in accordance with AASHTO and agency design standards.

Lighting Guidelines

Guideline	Lighting Design Guideline 1
Title	Intensity and Uniform Coverage
Text	Intensity levels and uniformity ratios should be based on adaptations from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
Commentary	None

Guideline	Lighting Design Guideline 2
Title	Minimize Lighting Spillover
Text	Use proper shielding and aiming to minimize lighting spillover into adjacent properties, especially residential communities.
Commentary	Migration of light pollution should be in accordance with approved environmental document(s).

Guideline	Lighting Design Guideline 3
Title	Quantity of Plaza Approach and Departure Lights
Text	High mast and tower pole designs for mounting luminaries should be used to minimize the addition of roadway hazards that must be protected by barrier if inadequate clear zone is available or is impractical.
Commentary	Tower design must address the issue of accessing the luminaries for maintenance.

Guideline	Lighting Design Guideline 4
Title	Toll Lane Lighting
Text	Lighting intensity and uniformity should be based on adaptations from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).
Commentary	Toll lane lighting should provide a minimum of 20 foot-candles, subject to consideration of contributions from other site-specific light sources.

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