Light poles are available in a wide range of heights and are used for a variety of applications. Selecting the proper pole height to match your application is crucial. When illuminating walkways and small parking areas, you’ll want to opt for shorter light poles. This article will inform you about the use of shorter light poles in these applications.
What Are the Benefits of Using Shorter Light Poles?
- Short light poles improve visibility, enhance pedestrian safety, and provide focused illumination in areas where taller poles may create excessive glare or uneven lighting.
- They are an economical choice. Shorter poles are cheaper than taller poles.
- Shorter poles have less surface area than taller poles. This makes them more wind resistant.
- They are easier to install than taller poles. The taller (and heavier) the light pole, the more likely you’ll need special equipment to install it safely, especially if they are steel.
What Are the Common Heights for Walkway and Small Parking Area Light Poles?
Walkways and small parking areas do not require taller poles. These spaces are more effectively illuminated with shorter light poles.
Typical light pole heights for smaller areas:
- 8-12 feet is the best light pole height for walkways and park pedestrian areas. These are typically aluminum poles.
- 15-20 feet is the best light pole height for small parking lots or side streets. These are typically steel or aluminum poles.
How Do Shorter Light Poles Improve Safety?
Low-mounted outdoor lighting reduces light pollution, minimizes dark spots, and ensures better visibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in smaller parking areas.
Steel light poles are stronger than aluminum and fiberglass light poles, meaning they can safely handle heavier loads at the top. Multiple light fixtures can be mounted on them to provide more illumination as needed.
Where Are Shorter Light Poles Most Commonly Used?
Taller light poles are usually required for highways and busy streets due to their lighting requirements. The same goes for sports fields and large parking areas. With shorter light poles, you get more focused light over a smaller area. Examples of locations that require shorter light poles include:
- Pedestrian walkways
- School campuses
- Parks
- Shopping plazas
- Residential streets
- Small commercial parking lots
How Does Pole Height Impact Light Distribution?
The height of a pole affects how far the light can travel and how evenly it is distributed. Taller poles can cover larger areas, while shorter poles are better for smaller spaces.
The beam spread of light fixtures mounted on poles can significantly impact light distribution; taller poles can provide better distribution. However, the light fixtures used by taller poles must have a higher output so that enough light reaches the ground.
Light fixture optics will determine its beam spread. Light distribution is generally described as wide, narrow, or somewhere between.
A narrow beam is typically less than or equal to 25°. The light reaches farther than a wide beam and is more focused.
Wide beams are typically 45°-120°. The light illuminates a larger area but does not reach as far.
The spacing between poles is another consideration. It should be 2.5 to 3 times their height to ensure uniform lighting. If the spacing is too close or too far, the area will either be overlit or there will be darker spaces between the poles.
Shorter light poles provide more direct, concentrated illumination, reducing unnecessary light spread and improving energy efficiency. Because of this, you will most likely use a fixture with a lower light output for smaller areas with a shorter light pole.
Are Shorter Light Poles More Durable Than Taller Poles?
Generally, yes. This is because shorter poles experience less structural stress from wind and weight loads due to their reduced surface area and weight, making them a durable option for long-term installations. They are also less prone to vibrations in strong winds.
LightMart Can Help
At LightMart, you can find everything you’ll need to illuminate walkways, campuses, parks, and parking lots. We have pedestrian walkway lighting solutions and commercial light poles for parking areas. Additionally, we have a great selection of light poles, light fixtures, and light pole kits. In a rush? We also have a selection of quick-ship light poles in stock. Contact us today!