LIGHTING ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

AMD Engineering specializes in the development of lighting layouts, electrical/control system layout and design with voltage drop calculations, and coordination with electrical service providers to support lighting systems for streets, roadways, intersections, interchanges, underpasses, signs, sidewalk/trails, commercial sites, parking lots, and other areas where lighting is desired.  AMD Engineering will evaluate each project and determine the lighting objectives, whether lighting is required for vehicular considerations only or if lighting for pedestrians and/or bicycles must also be considered. AMD Engineering's principles and support staff are fully knowledgeable of State and Local standards and specifications including MD SHA's Traffic Control Devices Design Manual, VDOT's Traffic Engineering Design Manual, and DDOT's Design and Engineering Manual and will develop a layout that achieves all lighting objectives in the most efficient way possible. For projects that may involve the use of non-standard lighting equipment, such as Developer and Contractor projects, AMD Engineering will coordinate with locality staff and the Developer/Contractor for selection of the appropriate luminaire and pole considering factors such as cost, ownership/ maintenance, and lighting performance. 

For photometric analyses, AMD Engineering will coordinate with agency to review design standards such as IES RP-8 Roadway Lighting Guidelines and the AASHTO Roadway Lighting Design Guide and will consider factors such as roadway classification, geometry, and pedestrian activity to determine the appropriate lighting design criteria (average maintained or minimum values and uniformity ratios) and calculation method (luminance or Illuminance). A site visit will be completed to verify characteristics of any existing lighting equipment in the project limits that will remain and should be considered for the photometric analysis. The calculations will consider the light source, distribution, and mounting height to determine the spacing of poles. Photometric analysis will be completed using AGI32 and will document the achieved values and uniformity ratios to verify that design criteria are satisfied. 

AMD Engineering will prepare preliminary roadway lighting/site lighting/highway lighting plans at a scale of 1”=25’ or 1”=50’, depending on the size and complexity of the project, to obtain a consensus on the general lighting layout prior to the development of detailed plans and electrical design. These plans will depict existing and proposed site conditions, geometry, utilities, right-of-way, traffic barrier, existing and proposed light pole locations, power feeds, lighting control equipment and any other features that may affect the lighting design. We will also begin coordination with electrical service providers to verify availability of desired service types (size and voltage). We also understand that streetlights maintained by the local electric utility is common in some areas and that more detailed coordination may be required in the design of these systems or to address construction impacts to existing lighting.

Following an approved lighting layout, AMD Engineering will develop final roadway lighting/site lighting/highway lighting plans in conformance with local Standards and Specifications. Additional details such as electrical circuitry and wiring, panel schedule(s), and details for non-standard equipment will be added to the preliminary plans. Voltage drop calculations will be completed to show that voltage drop does not exceed NEC requirements for any branch circuit. Specifications / Special Provisions will be developed as necessary and cost estimates will be provided. The final plans and specifications / special provisions will be revised in accordance with the final review comments and a final engineer’s estimate will be prepared.