Denver Street & Pedestrian Lighting, Smart & Micro Cell Pole Standards
Project Type
Master Planning, Dark Sky
Location
Denver, CO
Year
2018
Team
Jacobs
A Collaborative Approach to Innovative Urban Lighting
Clanton & Associates is leading the charge in defining Denver’s next-generation street and pedestrian lighting standards, aligning functionality, aesthetics, and smart city integration. By establishing clear lighting and control performance criteria, the project ensures that Denver’s urban infrastructure enhances safety, energy efficiency, and connectivity while reflecting the city’s forward-thinking identity.
The process begins with rigorous performance criteria development and the evaluation of luminaire and pole designs submitted by manufacturers. Selected products undergo community and stakeholder feedback sessions alongside technical assessments to refine options. Clanton & Associates draws on visibility research conducted with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in cities like Anchorage, San Diego, San Jose, and Seattle. This research highlighted critical factors such as the role of spectral content, the importance of uniformity on sidewalks rather than streets, and minimizing glare for safety and comfort. These findings have shaped adaptive lighting standards and technical recommendations for the project.
The project also explores the integration of Smart Poles, which go beyond lighting to support Denver’s smart city aspirations. These poles can host Wi-Fi antennae, electric vehicle charging stations, and future technologies such as LiFi applications, color-tunable lighting, and renewable energy management nodes. By deploying "plug-and-play" Smart Poles, the city aims to create an adaptable infrastructure that meets today’s needs and anticipates tomorrow’s innovations. This approach transforms street lighting into a versatile urban resource, enhancing connectivity, energy efficiency, and community engagement.
Clanton & Associates’ work ensures that Denver’s street and pedestrian lighting standards set a benchmark for other cities aspiring to combine smart technologies with sustainable, people-centered urban design.
