Energy Audit of Road Lighting Installations as a Tool for Improving Efficiency and Visual Safety Conditions

This study presents an analysis of the condition of street lighting based on a selected typical installation in one of the 1459 rural communes in Poland. The analysis was carried out on the basis of publicly available statistical data, local government reports, and information contained in national and European strategic documents. During the analysis, numerous irregularities and differences in the quality and energy efficiency of the lighting infrastructure were indicated. It was found that outdated sodium luminaires with high energy consumption, low durability, and limited luminous efficacy are used in many cases, which generates significant operating costs and negatively affects the environment. The authors emphasize that a lack of regular and professional lighting audits leads to the suboptimal use of energy resources, an insufficient level of road safety, and failure to adapt lighting to current technical standards and the needs of road users. A lighting audit is a key tool for diagnosing the technical condition, efficiency, and compliance of installations with relevant regulations and recommendations. It also allows for the identification of potential savings and determining the directions of modernization and implementation of energy-saving technologies, such as LED luminaires and intelligent control systems.The presented analysis demonstrates that energy audits are an effective tool for confirming efficiency improvements and enhancing visual safety conditions through better compliance with photometric standards (luminance, lighting uniformity). Direct accident statistics were not within the scope of this study.