In most locations along the corridor, highway-type street lighting is the only type of lighting employed. This lighting is focused primarily on the roadway rather than on sidewalk areas. The sidewalk illumination provided is often blocked by frontage street trees, where they exist. These lighting conditions do not encourage pedestrian circulation, support investment in frontage properties, or promote the boulevard image desired for the corridor.
Pedestrian-oriented street lighting should be installed throughout the corridor, with supplemental highway-type lighting located at intersections if required. As shown in Figure 5-17, lights should be located mid-way between street trees, with heads mounted at levels to provide illumination beneath the street tree canopy. Heads should contain “cutoff” fixtures with shielding to support “dark sky” objectives and minimize impacts on adjacent buildings. Street light poles and fixtures should be attractive in design and coordinated with the design of frontage amenities and furnishings, such as bus shelters, benches, and kiosks.
Streetlights must be located a minimum 18 inches from face of curb per State highway design standards. However, a minimum setback of 2 feet 6 inches is recommended to allow for curbside parking door swing and/or frontage visibility. Aligning street lights with street trees can help create an orderly frontage appearance.
