Poles

Poles have an important role to play in improving the efficiency and sustainability of public lighting:

Install taller poles. Increasing the height at which luminaires are mounted for streetlights maximises the spacing between poles, which reduces the number of lights needed and leads to significant savings in energy consumption and ongoing operational costs.
Install side-entry poles. For minor roads, parks and car parks, poles allowing a side entry installation for the luminaire allow later refits with energy efficient lineal fluorescent luminaires. All standard poles for minor road lighting are side entry.
Maintain poles well to ensure a long service life and make sure they are recyclable - check with your pole supplier for options.

Pole types

: Standard pole - click to enlarge

There are two broad types of pole:

Standard poles are generally those approved by the distribution business who provides maintenance services to the pole. They are the cheapest pole, typically made from unpainted galvanised steel.

Decorative poles, also known as non-standard, ownership varies by state. For example in Victoria, councils own decorative poles but the distribution businesses repair or replace them, and the council pays for the materials being replaced. In NSW,distribution businesses own decorative poles and offer a restricted range of these to councils for a higher tariff than for their standard counterparts. In Tasmania, councils own the poles but not the lights.

: Decorative pole - click to enlarge

Both standard and decorative poles must be manufactured to the distribution business’s technical standard, being compliant with AS1798 Lighting poles and bracket arms – preferred dimensions; AS 1170 Wind loadings; and AS/NZS 4680 Hot dip galvanised coatings on fabricated ferrous articles The common terminology “non-standard” does not mean a decorative pole does not meet the Australian Standard, it simply means that it is not in the standard range supported by the distribution business.

Optimising pole height

Optimum pole spacing and mounting heights for luminaires (lights) means fewer poles and luminaires are required to produce the same level of light, whilst still meeting the Australian Standards. For example, increasing the pole height for residential streets from 5m to around 7m, means that the spacing between poles can be increased by as much as 15%, saving energy, maintenance and installation costs in new subdivisions. Increased pole height also reduces vandalism.

The following tables indicate the theoretical required spacing between light poles to achieve a light output that meets AS/NZS 1158.3.1:2005 Pedestrian area (Category P) for a range of lights based on different road reserve widths and light mounting heights. The spacing tables are from the Evaluation of Low Energy Lights for Minor Road Lighting report and were determined using lighting software based on a lamp test chamber ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.

: Table 1. Maximum required pole spacings for Category P4 (for new developments)

: Table 2. Maximum required pole spacings for Category P5 (for retrofits of existing lights)

Note that for parks or decorative fittings taller poles are not relevant, because increased height has a minimal impact on spacing and light quality can be detrimentally affected by trees. For major roads it is more complicated so speak with your lighting designer. For more information, the Energy Efficient Lighting Design worksheet in the Public Lighting Calculator allows you to observe the effects of increasing and decreasing pole heights on pole spacing and energy use.

Side-entry poles

: Figure courtesy of Vicpole - click to enlarge

For minor roads, parks, and car parks, poles allowing a side entry installation for the luminaire allow later refits with energy efficient lineal fluorescent luminaires (see below). All standard poles are side entry.

Maintenance recommendations

For maintenance advice on poles, see the Sustainable Design and Maintenance Guidelines 2008 produced by NAGA. These guidelines are for use by engineers, lighting designers and developers who are installing lighting in new residential developments, parks and car parks. The information is relevant for all streets categorised under P4 of the Australian Standards (AS 1158.3.1).

The notes were developed by Paul Brown and Ray Simms (Ironbark Sustainability), in consultation with Darren Williames (Saferoads), Brent Tyrer (Vicpole), Clayton Simpson and Bec Olsen (Banyule City Council), Stuart Nesbitt (Darebin City Council) and Martin Butcher (Martin Butcher Lighting Design).

It is also important to use poles that are recyclable - see the Waste & Recycling page for more information.

Suppliers

Vicpole

Saferoads
Saferoads have developed a modular pole with three sections. The base is made of stainless steel to prevent rust, the body is protected with extra long life paint, and the bracket can be used for top entry, side entry or post top luminaires. If one section is damaged it can be replaced without the need to buy a new pole.

The Sustainable Public Lighting website was created by ICLEI Oceania. Funding for this website was provided by the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) in the Department of Environment and Water Resources. The site is based on Sustainability Victoria's Energy Toolbox website.