The instability of energy prices is accelerating the processes of cost optimisation for public administration. In an effort to control expenses, several local administrators have already announced, months ago, extraordinary efforts to control costs, and public lighting is one element in which it is simple to intervene. The criteria that govern it are not uniform within the country but often depend on individual local realities.

The lighting of a street, square or public place is influenced by various factors: city lighting is different from rural lighting, must not be too intense near natural areas, must allow good visibility even in case of particular weather conditions such as fog, and must still ensure maximum safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

Regardless of these and other elements, relamping offers immediate benefits – both economic and in terms of lighting quality.

Relamping means replacing traditional light bulbs with more energy-efficient LED bulbs. In the case of public lighting, the lamps to be replaced are usually high-pressure mercury vapour and high- and low-pressure sodium vapour. In most cases, this is a relatively simple intervention where it is sufficient to replace the bulb, but if you choose to renew the entire lighting system, the benefits multiply.

Obviously, public lighting and in particular road lighting cannot follow only economic choices. Correct LED road lighting must ensure maximum visual quality, safety, and energy efficiency. The goal of public lighting is to allow the citizen to move with total safety with excellent visibility conditions and in any weather.

Every type of lamp has its own light efficiency, meaning it produces a different amount of light for the same amount of electricity consumed.

With LED street fixtures, you can save up to 80% compared to traditional ones. This type of lighting also reduces maintenance costs and allows for customisable light scenarios depending on needs.

LED lighting systems can be precisely controlled: due to their low heat production and compact size, it is possible to use lenses that direct the light beam exactly where it is needed.

LED lights also don’t require warm-up time, so they can be activated only where and when needed through motion and dusk sensors. This is especially useful on rural roads where the system can self-regulate based on the presence of vehicles or pedestrians. With LED technology, there is no compromise on visual perception for drivers and the maximum visual comfort for pedestrians is guaranteed.

Relamping is not the only element that allows lighting to evolve. From classic light poles, lampposts are evolving into technological systems that provide services. The introduction of multi-functional lampposts that use sensors and digital platforms for remote monitoring allows them to be used, for example, as charging stations for electric mobility; as surveillance systems for citizen safety; devices for creating public Wi-Fi networks; or even systems for controlling traffic and public transportation.

Relamping is a project that has been underway for some time, but it is not yet carried out at the ecosystem level. For example, it is estimated that in Italy there is a lamppost for public lighting for every six inhabitants, which means almost 10 million lampposts distributed across the 8100 Italian municipalities. Given these numbers, the savings potential is enormous both for individual local administrations and for the country as a whole.