LED Parking Lot Lighting: Area Lights, Pole Spacing & Photometric Design
How to design LED parking lot lighting. Covers area/shoebox light selection, pole height, spacing calculations, foot-candle requirements, and IES standards.
Parking lot lighting is critical for safety, security, and liability management. Proper LED area light design ensures uniform illumination while minimizing energy costs and light pollution.
IES Recommended Light Levels
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends these minimum foot-candle (fc) levels for parking areas:
| Area Type | Minimum fc | Average fc | Uniformity Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open parking (basic) | 0.2 fc | 1.0 fc | 4:1 max |
| Open parking (enhanced) | 0.5 fc | 2.0 fc | 4:1 max |
| Covered parking | 1.0 fc | 5.0 fc | 4:1 max |
| Parking garage (general) | 1.0 fc | 5.0 fc | 10:1 max |
| Parking garage (ramp) | 2.0 fc | 10.0 fc | 5:1 max |
Most commercial parking lots target 1.0-2.0 fc average for insurance and liability requirements.
Choosing the Right Area Light
Auvolar offers area/shoebox lights from 75W to 420W:
| Model | Wattage | Lumens | Coverage per Pole | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OT Series (S) | 75-145W | 11,000-21,000 | 3,000-5,000 sq ft | Small lots, 15-20ft poles |
| OT Series (M) | 180-230W | 27,000-34,000 | 5,000-8,000 sq ft | Medium lots, 20-30ft poles |
| OT Series (L) | 300-420W | 45,000-63,000 | 8,000-15,000 sq ft | Large lots, 30-40ft poles |
| PLB Series | 75-300W | 11,000-45,000 | 3,000-12,000 sq ft | Premium applications |
Pole Height & Spacing Guidelines
| Pole Height | Typical Spacing | Wattage Range | Coverage Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 ft | 40-50 ft apart | 75-100W | Small parking areas |
| 20 ft | 50-70 ft apart | 100-150W | Standard commercial lots |
| 25 ft | 60-80 ft apart | 150-200W | Medium commercial lots |
| 30 ft | 70-100 ft apart | 200-300W | Large commercial lots |
| 35-40 ft | 80-120 ft apart | 300-420W | Large retail, municipal lots |
Light Distribution Types
- Type II: Ideal for walkways and narrow areas (forward throw)
- Type III: Most common for parking lots (medium forward throw)
- Type IV: For perimeter lighting (forward throw toward property line)
- Type V: Square/circular pattern for center-of-lot poles
Auvolar area lights come standard with Type III distribution, with Type II and Type V optics available on request.
Design Tips for Maximum Efficiency
Cost Comparison: HID vs LED Parking Lot
For a 100-space parking lot (approximately 30,000 sq ft):
| Old HID System | New LED System | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures | 12 x 400W MH | 12 x 200W LED |
| Total watts | 4,800W | 2,400W |
| Annual energy | $5,760/year | $2,880/year |
| Maintenance | $1,200/year (re-lamp) | $0 (10+ year life) |
| Total annual cost | $6,960 | $2,880 |
| Annual savings | $4,080 |
Fixture cost: 12 × $189 = $2,268. With DLC rebates of ~$75/fixture ($900), net cost is $1,368. Payback: 4 months.
Auvolar provides free photometric parking lot layouts. Send us your site plan and we'll design the optimal fixture placement.
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