RSS 12 - Floodlighting pedestrian crossings

- October 1999

Table of contents

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Appendix 4 - Pedestrian crossing floodlighting tables and diagrams

Table 1 - List of road controlling authorities in the survey of pedestrian crossing floodlighting

 

Figure 1: Minimum illumination on pedestrian crossings

From Figure 1 it can be seen that:

• 39% of floodlit crossings met the 20 lux standard required by NZS 6701.
• 18% of floodlit crossings met the 40 lux recommendation specified in TR11⁽⁴⁾

2. Light source used for floodlighting

At each site the light source used to floodlight the crossing was noted. Tables 2 and 3 below relate the light source with the lux level achieved and whether the lamp was operating at the time of the survey.

Observations from these tables:

• The main light sources used to floodlight pedestrian crossings were, in order: High pressure sodium (42%), mercury vapour (38%), and halogen (9%). In 9% of cases there was a different source at each end of the crossing (termed "mixed" in Tables 2 & 3).
• 70% of pedestrian crossings lit with high pressure sodium fittings met NZS 6701. This compares with just 14% of the crossings lit with mercury vapour fittings. [Table 2]
• The average lux values for high pressure sodium was 31 lux (min) compared to just 13 lux (min) for mercury vapour fittings. [Table 2]
• High pressure sodium proved to be the most reliable source. 5% of pedestrian crossings lit with high pressure sodium, 19% lit with mercury vapour and 23% lit with halogen fittings had at least one lamp not working at the time of the survey. [Table 3]

Table 2 - Performance of the light sources used in pedestrian crossing floodlighting

	Crossings with this source		Crossings which met the standard		Average of the lowest lux on the crossing
Light source	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
High pressure sodium (SON)	64	42%	45	70%	31 lux
Mercury vapour	57	38%	8	14%	13 lux
Halogen	13	9%	5	38%	19 lux
Mixed (usually sodium with mercury)	14	9%	1	7%	13 lux
Low pressure sodium	3	2%	0	0%	13 lux
Metal halide	1	1%	1	100%	39 lux
Total	152	100%	60	39%

 

Table 3 - Lamp failures

Belisha beacons / fluoro discs

The survey obtained data on whether Belisha beacons were present and, if so, whether they were operating.

• Almost all (97%) of floodlit pedestrian crossings surveyed had Belisha beacons installed
• 3 crossings had fluoro discs installed and 2 crossings had neither fluoro discs nor Belisha beacons
• 27 (17%) of the crossings that had Belisha beacons installed had at least one which was not operating at the time of the survey.

Lighting of pedestrian platforms

Measurements of the lighting levels both on, and within 3 metres of a pedestrian platform were made at 66 sites.

The minimum lux readings were compared with the requirements of the joint standard AS/NZS 1158 (Category P and V). In this standard the minimum lux requirements are related to the level of lighting on the surrounding road.

In particular for:

• category P (minor) roads Minimum = 3.5 lux
• category V4 roads Minimum = 5 lux
• category V3 roads Minimum = 7.5 lux
• category V2 roads Minimum = 10 lux
• category V1 roads Minimum = 15 lux

Table 4 shows the number of pedestrian platforms for each RCA that met the above standards.

Observations:

• 63% of pedestrian platforms met the AS/NZS 1158 standard. This is substantially higher than the 39% compliance found for pedestrian crossing floodlighting.
• Modern city centre pedestrian platforms were generally in well lit areas and met the standard comfortably.

Table 4 - List of road controlling authorities in the survey of pedestrian platform lighting

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