Start From the Road, Not the Product
Quantity per kilometer depends on four inputs: road width, required lux level, pole height and mounting offset. Change any one and the count moves. Here's the practical method used for township and estate road projects.
Step 1: Set the Lighting Class Target
| Road type | Avg lux (dry) | Uniformity (min/avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Village / community path | 2–5 lux | 0.25 |
| Estate / residential street | 5–10 lux | 0.35 |
| Urban collector road | 10–15 lux | 0.40 |
| Highway / trunk road | 15–25 lux | 0.45 |
(These follow the spirit of EN 13201 / CIE classes — for formal tenders, cite the exact class your client specifies.)
Step 2: Choose Pole Height and Spacing
The classic rule: spacing = 3–4× pole height for one-sided layout on straight roads:
| Pole height | Typical LED power | One-side spacing | Staggered spacing (per side) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4–5 m | 30–50 W | 15–20 m | 30–40 m |
| 6 m | 60–80 W | 20–25 m | 40–50 m |
| 8 m | 100–150 W | 25–30 m | 50–60 m |
| 10–12 m | 150–300 W | 30–40 m | 60–80 m |
When to stagger: roads wider than 7 m where one-sided lighting leaves the far lane dim. Staggering doubles effective spacing per side while keeping uniformity.
When to go both-sides: highways, dual carriageways and roads with median strips.
Step 3: The Quantity Arithmetic
Lights per km (one-side) = 1,000 m ÷ spacing + 1
- 6 m poles, 22 m spacing, one side: 1,000 ÷ 22 + 1 ≈ 47 lights/km
- Same road, staggered (each side 44 m): ≈ 24 per side = 46–48 lights/km total — similar count, better uniformity on wide roads
- 8 m poles, 28 m spacing, one side: ≈ 37 lights/km
Step 4: Adjust for Real Roads
- Curves and junctions: reduce spacing 20–30% on bends; put a light at every junction apex.
- Shading: trees and buildings on the panel's south side — shift poles or trim; a 30% shaded panel starves the battery.
- Camera poles: if the project adds CCTV, some poles carry cameras instead of lights — plan the same trench/pole but different loading.
- Bulkhead sections: add 2–4% poles for gate posts, bus stops and pedestrian crossings.
Worked Project: 2.5 km Estate Road, Nigeria
- Road: 7 m wide, 6 m poles, staggered at 44 m per side
- Count: 2,500 ÷ 44 ≈ 57 per side × 2 ≈ 114 lights + 3 junction extras = 117
- Product: 80 W all-in-one, LiFePO4 100 Ah eq., motion dimming
- Container plan: 40 ft HQ × 1 (lights) + poles by truck; Woneng provides the load plan.
Verify With a Simulation Before You Buy
Spacing tables get you 90% there; a DIALUX photometric simulation with your exact road cross-section and the supplier's IES files gets you certainty — and gives you a defensible document for tenders. Woneng runs free lighting simulations for project buyers and returns the layout drawing, lux map and bill of materials within 48 hours. Send your road drawing to start.
Request a Free Quote for Your Project
Tell us your application, quantity and market — we return a factory-direct quote with lighting simulation and bill of materials within 24 hours.
- Free system design & bill of materials
- Factory-direct pricing, OEM/ODM available
- Quote delivered within 24 hours