Energy efficiency in street lighting: citizens point of view

Abstract

Energy-efficiency has been gaining more and more importance in the past few years, and today it is considered essential, in order to optimize the use of energy resources and to assure environmental and economic sustainability. Regarding street lighting, there are several solutions for achieving energy efficiency, raising opportunities for improvement and innovation, and allowing a rationalization in consumption. Although these benefits are clear and significant, a specific challenge arises, namely the acceptance of these solutions by citizens, as many of them affect their perceptions and feelings regarding their own security and their quality of life in the public spaces of cities. To better understand the citizens' attitudes towards public street lighting, a study was conducted in 2014, with the following objectives: 1) understand the assessments about streetlight; 2) measure citizen knowledge about energy efficiency; 3) develop hypothesis on how can streetlight consumption become more efficient without interfering in the citizens security. Over 2000 interviews were conducted, covering three stages of assessment: attitudes, expectations and scenarios receptivity (always in the citizen perspective). From this study interesting conclusions can be taken, which will support the implementation of energy efficiency measures in public lighting. The high importance citizens attribute to street lighting is reinforced, particularly regarding their sense of security and day-to-day habits. We conclude that citizens are willing to accept changes in street lighting, aiming at achieving gains in energy efficiency, mainly through the elimination of what they consider to be a waste in consumption.