A simple method for designing efficient public lighting, based on new parameter relationships

• New parameter relationships for efficient public lighting design were obtained.
• Optimization criteria included maximum energy efficiency and overall uniformity.
• The values of mounting height and spacing between luminaires are calculated by simple lineal relations.
• The results have been successfully tested with a well-known and reliable free software.

New parameter relationships for public lighting design (i.e. average illuminance, luminaire spacing, and mounting height) were calculated from a large sample of data sets optimized with a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. Optimization criteria included maximum energy efficiency and overall uniformity. The relations thus derived are a simple and elegant method for designing any type of public lighting installation without the need to use complex, expensive and/or unavailable software. It would therefore be desirable that manufacturers include such parameters in the product datasheet in order to make the calculation easier.