Cobra Head fixture on standard lamppost
This chapter, which constitutes the current DOT Street Lighting Catalogue, outlines options for street lighting for New York City streets, pedestrian bridges, malls, plazas, and parks. The Street lighting options featured meet DOT standards and requirements for safety and energy efficiency and are suitable for various contexts pending DOT design review and approval. While other light poles may be present on City streets, all new installations should conform to the guidelines in this chapter and the DOT Street Lighting Standard Drawings Book.
Information on Traffic Signal poles is also included in this chapter and categorized similarly by type and application. Review Signal Poles.
Refer to the Details & Specifications and use the Spec and Detail Finder, which includes required drawings and components.
Usage Categories
Street lights and components are categorized as Standard or Distinctive. DOT maintains equipment in each of these categories, and maintain damaged street lights.
Standard
The current standard street light poles are the steel Octagonal and Davit for city streets, with LED luminaires as indicated. The M-2A and the S-1A signal poles are standard for use at traffic signal locations. The M-2A pole may be used to hold a standard street light extension shaft, arm and, luminaire. In addition to the pedestrian poles featured in this Manual, other standard pedestrian poles suitable for use are covered in DOT Street Lighting's Standard Drawings Book.
Poles can be painted according to federal specifications in silver, black, green, or brown. While such finish colors are considered Standard, they typically require a maintenance agreement and DOT Street Lighting approval.
Distinctive
Street light poles, other than those that are listed as Standard are considered Distinctive; they are installed as part of streetscape projects and other funded initiatives. Unless they are in-kind replacements for damaged street lights, distinctive lights require PDC approval. DOT is responsible for submitting proposals to PDC or LPC on behalf of neighborhood associations and other groups that request distinctive street lighting. In preparation for these submittals, DOT works closely with applicants to develop street lighting layouts that are sensitive to local contexts. DOT maintains distinctive street lights unless otherwise stated in a maintenance agreement.