Chapter 5 - Roadside Safety and Horizontal Clearance

5.5. Horizontal Clearance for Light Standards

5.5.1. High Mast Roadway Lighting

High mast lighting should be positioned outside the clear zone. If this is impractical, cost-effective shielding shall be provided in accordance with current standards for roadside barrier.

5.5.2. Roadway Lighting

Roadway lighting shall be placed on or along the outside shoulders as described below.    Median lighting is only acceptable if integrated with concrete median barrier installations.

The size of the base must be considered when measuring horizontal clearance.  Breakaway or frangible bases are generally wider than the pole. 

Light standards should be mounted outside the clear zone.  Any light standards that are not located outside of the clear zone shall be mounted on an AASHTO compliant breakaway mounting.

Rural Shoulders

The horizontal distance from the edge of travel way or the edge of the auxiliary lane to the base of the light standard should be no less than 20-ft.

Urban Roadways

In urban roadway conditions, light standards should be positioned in accordance with rural shoulder guidelines or as close to the right of way line as possible.

If it is not feasible to comply with the above statement, light standards shall be placed directly outside of the sidewalk and at least 7-ft. from the face of curb.  Coordination of street light placement with sidewalks and other roadside features shall ensure that at least 4-ft. of usable sidewalk remains, and that the lights do not conflict with other permitted features or elements on the urban shoulder.

5.5.3. Pedestrian Lighting (non-roadway)

All pedestrian light standards shall be located at the back of the sidewalk.  If sidewalk is not present, the light standards shall be placed a minimum of 7-ft. from the face of curb.