Selection Criteria & Design Review Process

Street Light Components

DOT uses recommendations established by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) to provide appropriate light values and uniformity in the City right-of-way and produce a comfortable and safe street environment. In addition to lighting characteristics, the agency considers the design qualities of poles and luminaires with an eye to maintaining an aesthetically consistent and coherent streetscape within a neighborhood or corridor. Accordingly, the agency does not approve block-by-block variations in types of street lights.

Designers should also review the Street Lighting Design Review Process for submittal and approval requirements and coordination with the Street Lighting Engineering Unit . For signal system guidance, refer to the DOT Traffic Signals/Timings Design Requirements, which outline design criteria, required components, and key review steps coordinated by DOT Traffic Signals Engineering. 

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Street light Components

A street light comprises three elements:

  • 1) the base (sometimes with a “skirt” that covers the base to achieve a desired appearance), 2) the pole, and 3) the arm and LED luminaire. Some poles can be combined with different luminaires to achieve the desired aesthetic and engineering outcomes; in other cases, the combination of pole and luminaire cannot be changed. This chapter notes the luminaires with which each pole can be paired. 
  • Energy Standards: DOT requires the use of LED luminaires for all installations, as conforms to Street Lighting Standard Specifications
  • Engineering Review: In all cases, the suitability of the street light for a particular street and lighting condition must be approved by DOT's Street Lighting Engineering Unit (DOT Street Lighting).