Street lights

The Traffic and Electrical Operations Branch is responsible for providing services to maintain and to add traffic signals, traffic signs and street lighting systems.

Did you know there are about 30,000 street lights, 11,000 lane lights and 7,600 decorative lights in Vancouver?

Roadway lighting creates a safe environment. For vehicles, it helps reduce night time accidents. Lighting allows proper night time vision to reduce pedestrian and vehicle accidents, while increasing a sense of personal security. The City follows design criteria for street lights.

Problems?

Please phone our dispatcher at 604-871-6200 to report any problems with traffic signals and/or street lighting. You can leave a message at any time.

How to report street light problems

Look for the ID number on the side of the pole facing the street, about 8 feet above the ground, and give this along with the street name. You can further assist us by knowing what kind of problem is occurring.

• Is the light going on and off? Report this as a ‘cycling’ lamp.
• Is the light on in full daylight? Report this as a ‘day burner’.
• Are there many lights in a row out? Report this as ‘multiple outages’.
• Are there pieces hanging down? Stay clear, and report as ‘loose components.’

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Decorative lights

Decorative lighting adds to the character of a neighbourhood and is an important feature in the public streetscape. The City works with partners on this program.

Lane lights

Lane lights are put in by the City and are funded by property owners. To obtain lane lights for your neighbourhood, you will need to contact the staff in Local Improvements.

Street lighting design criteria

The City’s roadway lighting systems are based on the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) RP-8 design guide. The guide sets lighting and visibility levels and uniformity ratios. At the time of construction, street lighting meets these standards. If the road is changed, lighting is upgraded to new guidelines whenever possible.

The City also follows the guiding principles of Dark Skies. Lights, referred to as ‘full cut-off fixtures, minimize light pollution and direct light down to where it is needed. New construction uses only these full cut-off fixtures, with the exception of decorative lighting. Fixtures that need to be replaced, are replaced with full cut-off fixtures wherever possible. In areas where pole spacing doesn't’t allow full cut-off fixtures, spacing will be adjusted when the next major construction happens. So-called ‘drop lens fixtures’ will continue to be used until spacing can be adjusted.

Green initiatives

Most of the City’s street lights are high pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures, offering the best balance of cost and performance. We’re now evaluating the use of electronic ballast based fixtures to significantly reduce energy consumption. The branch is also testing induction lighting with a longer service life to reduce maintenance costs. LED lights are being evaluated in several locations.

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