Freelance engineering office for lighting design & planningWhy pedestrian crossings need special lighting
At a pedestrian crossing, a driver must be able to see a person in good time. A bright road surface alone is not enough: the person must be lit from the side so that they stand out from the background. DIN 67523 therefore sets requirements for vertical illuminance in the crossing area, in addition to general street lighting according to EN 13201.
Applicable standards and regulations
| Regulation | Content |
|---|---|
| DIN 13201-1:2021-09 | Selection of lighting classes (German application document) |
| DIN EN 13201-2:2016 | Quality criteria and lighting classes for street lighting |
| DIN EN 13201-3:2016 | Calculation of quality criteria |
| DIN EN 13201-4:2016 | Measurement methods for quality criteria |
| DIN 67523-1/-2:2010-06 | Lighting of pedestrian crossings with motor traffic |
| R-FGÜ 2001 | German guidelines for the layout and equipment of pedestrian crossings |
| EFA 2002 (FGSV) | German recommendations for pedestrian facilities |
The currently valid edition applies in each case. We check the status of the standards at the start of every assignment.
How the inspection works
- Coordination: kick-off meeting, definition of locations and scheduling of night-time appointments.
- Documents: evaluation of site plans, existing lighting plans and luminaire data.
- Survey: luminaire locations, pole spacing, mounting heights, luminaire type and photo documentation for each crossing.
- Night measurement: horizontal illuminance on the road and vertical illuminance at 1.0 m height from the drivers' point of view. Measuring grid according to EN 13201-4, measurement with a calibrated lux meter.
- Assessment: averages and uniformity, comparison with the requirements and rating: compliant, partially compliant or non-compliant.
- Simulation (optional): recalculation with DIALux evo or Relux and comparison of variants, such as a new luminaire, changed light distribution or an additional pole.
- Report: results per location, photos, recommendations and prioritisation as PDF and editable DOCX file.
What we pay attention to when measuring at night
- Record stray light from shop windows, advertising and vehicles and correct for it or exclude it from the readings
- Document the operating state: dimming level, failures, soiling and age of the luminaires
- Vertical values at 1.0 m height, measuring head facing the oncoming direction of travel
- Lux meter with a valid calibration certificate; measuring grid and points presented traceably in the report
- Assessment as maintained value: because standards specify maintained values, we interpret the readings taking into account the age and condition of the installation
What you contribute as the client
Measurements on the road require traffic management according to the German RSA guidelines. Commissioning, costs and registration of the work zone are the client's responsibility; we coordinate measurement times closely with the traffic safety measures. Also not included are pole inventories and GPS surveying, inspection of the electrical installation and construction management.
Frequently asked questions
Why must measurements be taken at night?
Only in darkness and with the installation switched on can the actual effect of the lighting be recorded without stray light.
How many crossings make sense per assignment?
Anything from a single crossing to an entire city is possible. With several locations, the cost per crossing falls because organisation and reporting are bundled.
What happens if a crossing is not compliant?
You receive a recommendation for the most economical measure. On request we simulate variants and support the implementation.
Author: Paul Rostand Ndjeundoun, M.Sc. (Hons), Certified Lighting Expert (LiTG) · As of: November 2026