Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-4. Outdoor lighting control
(a) Permanent outdoor lighting unit installation. The installation of any new or replacement permanent outdoor lighting unit by or for a state agency shall meet the following conditions:
(1) The new or replacement luminare permits are no more than two percent (2%) of the total lumen in the zone of ninety (90) to one hundred eighty (180) degrees vertical angle if the rated output of the lumen is greater than thirty-two hundred (3,200) lumens.
(2) The minimum allowance specified by an applicable recommendation or regulation shall be used. The average minimum allowance adequate for the intended purpose shall be used if no lighting recommendation or regulation is applicable, giving full consideration to energy conservation and glare.
(3) Reflectorized roadway markers, lines, warning signs, informational signs or other passive means shall be utilized for roadway lighting except at intersections of two (2) or more streets or highways unless it is determined that the purpose of the lighting installation or replacement cannot be achieved by these means.
(4) Adequate consideration shall be given to conserving energy and minimizing glare and light pollution.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-4
- Glare: means direct light emitted by a lighting unit that causes reduced visibility of objects or momentary blindness. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Lamp: means the component of a lighting unit that produces light. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Light pollution: means a general sky glow caused by the scattering of artificial light in the atmosphere. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Lighting unit: means a complete lighting unit, including a lamp or lamps together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamps and to connect the lamps to the power supply. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Lumen: means a specific standard unit of measurement of luminous flux. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Permanent outdoor lighting unit: means any fixed lighting unit or system of lighting units that is outdoors and that is intended to be used for seven (7) days or longer. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
- Roadway lighting: means permanent outdoor lighting units that are specifically intended to illuminate roadways for automotive vehicles. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-136-3
(b) Exceptions. The following instances shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (a):
(1) Where federal laws, rules or regulations preempt state regulations.
(2) Where fire, police, rescue or repair personnel need light for temporary emergencies or road repair work.
(3) Where there are special requirements, such as sports facilities, historic decorative considerations or flag lighting. All such lighting shall be selected and installed to shield the lamp or lamps from direct view to the greatest extent possible and to minimize upward lighting and light pollution.
(4) Where there is substantial nighttime pedestrian traffic in an urban area and an engineer experienced in outdoor lighting has deemed it necessary to permit the installation of partially shielded lighting units.
(5) Where it has been determined that a reasonable safety and security interest exists that cannot be addressed by another method without increasing the cost or reducing the effectiveness of the lighting.
History of Section.
P.L. 2002, ch. 420, § 1.