How to Choose LED Street Lights for Road Projects

Define the Road Lighting Result

Before requesting a price, provide road width, lane count, pole height, pole spacing, setback, arm length, mounting angle, surface type and the required illuminance or luminance criteria. A supplier should use an IES photometric file to model average light level, uniformity, glare and spill light.

A lower-wattage luminaire with the correct distribution may outperform a higher-wattage product that sends light outside the target area. The United States Department of Energy reports that LED roadway systems can achieve required light levels with less than half the total generated light of older technologies because LEDs offer better optical control.

Compare Efficacy at Equal Light Output

Luminaire efficacy, expressed in lumens per watt, affects the power needed to deliver a target lumen package. The chart compares a transparent procurement scenario: 100 luminaires, 20,000 lumens per luminaire and 4,380 operating hours per year.

At 130 lm/W, the fleet uses about 67.4 MWh annually. At 200 lm/W, it uses about 43.8 MWh, a calculated reduction of 35 percent. This comparison excludes driver dimming, optical losses, dirt depreciation and electricity tariffs, so it is a screening tool rather than a project energy guarantee. High efficacy still needs to be confirmed at the exact wattage, CCT and operating condition quoted.

Verify Photometric and Lifetime Evidence

Ask for an LM-79 report and an IES file for the offered configuration. ANSI/IES LM-79-24 defines procedures for measuring total luminous flux, electrical power, system efficacy, intensity distribution and color quantities of solid-state lighting products.The report model, wattage and CCT should match the quotation.

For lifetime claims, LM-80 measures lumen and color maintenance of LED packages, arrays or modules, while TM-21 projects long-term flux maintenance from LM-80 data. These documents support a lifetime assessment, but they do not replace a written luminaire warranty or prove the lifetime of the driver, seals, SPD and connectors.

Check Outdoor Protection and Materials

For exposed road projects, verify the complete enclosure rating rather than a component rating. IEC 60529 covers ingress protection classifications, while IEC 62262 covers external mechanical impact ratings.

IP66 and IK08 to IK10 are common project requirements, but the correct level depends on flooding risk, windblown dust, vandalism and maintenance practice. Buyers should also review die-cast aluminum quality, coating process, salt-spray requirements, fasteners, lens material, gasket design and cable entry. Coastal, industrial and high-UV environments need project-specific material confirmation.

Specify Surge and Electrical Protection

Street lights are connected to long outdoor circuits and may face switching transients or lightning-related surges. State the required SPD level, protection mode, disconnection behavior and replaceability in the specification. IEC 61643-11:2025 defines requirements and test methods for low-voltage AC surge protective devices.

The choice between 10 kV and 20 kV protection should follow the local lightning risk, grid condition and project standard. Confirm input voltage, power factor, harmonic limits, insulation class, earthing arrangement and driver brand or performance requirements before production.

Design for Maintenance

The purchase price is only one part of lifecycle cost. Driver access, spare-part availability and safe replacement time affect every future service visit. Tool-free opening and a separated or removable driver compartment can shorten maintenance work and reduce the chance of disturbing the optical chamber.

Ask the supplier to identify replaceable parts, connector types, recommended spares, warranty process and the period for which compatible drivers and LED boards will remain available.

Plan Smart Control Readiness

A photocell, dimming driver or network controller should be planned before the order, even when the first installation will operate conventionally. ANSI C136.41-2025 defines the interface between an external locking-type control and a roadway luminaire for 0-10 V and DALI dimming functions.

Buyers should confirm the receptacle type, pin configuration, control protocol, sealing cap and commissioning responsibility. DOE research notes that optics and adaptive controls together can substantially reduce light at night, but dimming schedules must preserve the required roadway criteria.

Match the Alite Product to the Project

Alite Lighting has supported lighting companies, contractors, distributors and project buyers since 2013 with outdoor LED products, technical documentation and stable batch delivery. Its project process covers product selection, environmental adaptation, inspection and after-sales communication.

For a premium municipal application, the ASL23 LED street light offers configurations up to 200 lm/W, IP66, IK10, a die-cast aluminum housing and tool-free driver-compartment access. For other budgets and layouts, Alite also offers project, standard and economical street light families with efficacy options reaching 220 lm/W on selected models.^[11][12]

Exact wattage, distribution, controls, certificates and warranty should be confirmed against the final project specification.

Use a Procurement Checklist

A complete request for quotation should include the road geometry, lighting criteria, approved standards, electrical environment, control interface, quantity and delivery schedule. It should also request the IES file, relevant test reports, installation instructions, warranty terms and a sample approval process.

Confirm the exact test standard, model number and configuration before using any report in a tender or approval package.