What is a Street Lighting Management System

2 Minute Read

A street lighting management system is a complex of software and hardware tools for the analysis, monitoring, and automation of street lighting.

Cities, as centers of civilization, must continuously adapt. In the 19th century, electrification arrived, radically transforming processes and spaces. As cities grow, it becomes necessary to install new street lighting networks and supplement existing ones while maintaining the uninterrupted operation of all elements. This creates a need for energy efficiency and standardized technologies. Today, lighting control systems utilizing universal solutions are becoming the transformative force.

Network of smart LED street lights illuminating a city street with integrated sensors and controllers
Modern LED street light with built-in dimming controller and daylight sensor on urban roadway

At First Glance, This Seems Inevitable

The basic, simplest lighting control system includes a dispatch center, control cabinets, timers and photocells, starters and contactors for switching, and a cable network for supplying power to luminaires mounted on poles. Such systems are characterized by a static and inflexible approach. For instance, street lighting in Spain consumes 10% of the country's total energy, and in some municipalities accounts for up to 80% of total consumption and 60% of the energy budget.1 This places an enormous burden on local budgets. On a global scale, such lighting systems currently account for 15% of all energy demand.2

We know that energy consumption can be reduced by almost half without sacrificing lighting quality. The secret lies in using an intelligent management system that directs light to where it is truly needed.

Bar chart showing 40% reduction in energy costs after implementing intelligent street lighting controls

Multi-Agent Lighting Control System -- Full Automation and Intelligence

Advanced systems involve not only turning street lights on and off according to a predetermined schedule and timer but also regulating brightness levels, controlling groups of luminaires, monitoring electricity consumption, and diagnosing malfunctions in both lighting cabinets and the lamps installed on poles.

An advanced street lighting control system consists of multiple layers that complement the basic structure:

  • A central device installed in the cabinet collects data from electricity meters and sensors, transmits it to the server, and also remotely controls lighting and monitors power grid parameters;
  • A gateway provides communication between the core of the system and its periphery;
  • A dimming module or individual controllers with step-by-step dimming capability save energy during periods of low street activity;
  • High-precision daylight, presence, and motion sensors detect the need for lighting in each area;
  • An expansion module serves to connect additional sensors and other devices;
  • Equipment for lamp-by-lamp control manages the state of each luminaire, increasing lighting flexibility.
Before and after comparison of city district with newly installed intelligent lighting system

The modular and integrative nature of intelligent systems makes it easy to add new functions and elements -- from video surveillance in the city center to new groups of energy-efficient street lights in the outskirts.

Each component of the system is multifunctional -- for example, the wired controller GSM Node with a built-in daylight sensor allows for remote switching of lighting, dimming, transmission of lamp status data, as well as monitoring of electricity consumption and diagnosis of malfunctions. All in one solid housing with IP66 protection class and NEMA connection.

Many components of the intelligent system are capable of functioning autonomously, independently of centralized control. In addition, the system supports both a pre-programmed autonomous mode and an interactive one that responds to dispatcher commands, which significantly expands interaction flexibility and provides more opportunities for control.

Conclusion

Proven Solution from a Leading Developer - for Your City

 

The extended functionality of the adaptive system allows for quick response to environmental changes, adjusting lighting to the needs of the city.

Intelligent algorithms optimize energy consumption, maintaining necessary brightness levels, avoiding energy waste, and providing sufficient and error-free lighting for moving vehicles and pedestrians, while minimizing wasteful lighting in residential areas. Taking into account the already documented municipal cost savings of approximately 40%, as well as reduced maintenance costs, the payback period for the system is 2 to 4 years. Your city also has this potential, and we will help you turn it into profit.