As engineering masterpieces, bridges have played a vital role throughout history in connecting communities and facilitating trade and travel. Bridge lighting serves as a means of enhancing aesthetics and increasing safety, beyond simply providing light for safe passage. Bridges are usually made of stone, concrete, wood, steel, or a combination of these materials, and play an important role in connecting different parts of the city. With proper bridge lighting, they can be used to create a safe space for traffic and enjoy their beauty at night. In this article from EDC, all the principles, rules, and standards required for a professional lighting experience are brought.

What is bridge lighting and what are its benefits?

Bridge lighting is not only limited to lighting the path for passage at night, but the use of various lamps and equipment to illuminate these structures can give them an eye-catching and beautiful appearance in the dark of night.
Bridge lighting has several benefits, and if we were to examine them more closely, we could point out two important ones: aesthetics and safety.

Lighting can highlight the architectural details of a bridge, such as arches, piers, and decks, and reveal its inherent beauty at night.

In addition, bridge lighting can become cultural symbols of a city and help promote identity and a sense of belonging among local people.
Proper lighting can improve the visibility of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians at night, reducing accidents and potential hazards.
Lighting can clearly identify traffic routes, exits, and stairs, helping people to safely cross at night, and most importantly, proper lighting can illuminate dark spots around bridges and reduce crime.

Along with all the advantages mentioned, it is better to mention some of the disadvantages of bridge lighting:

Light pollution (Artificial lights emitted from bridges can negatively affect the circadian rhythms of animals and plants.)
High initial cost (Creating and installing bridge lighting systems can be costly. The cost of purchasing equipment, installing, operating, and maintaining these systems can be significantly high.)
Visual interference (In some cases, bridge lighting can interfere with other light sources in the environment, such as street lights or billboards, leading to eye irritation.)
Key considerations in bridge lighting

Bridge lighting goes beyond simply installing lights and illuminating the structure at night. To create beautiful, efficient, and long-lasting lighting, several considerations must be taken into account. In this section, we will discuss some of the most important of these considerations:
1. What is the purpose of lighting? Is the goal simply to illuminate the path for traffic? Or are you looking to create a beautiful effect and increase the attractiveness of the bridge? By determining the ultimate goal, you can narrow down your choices in terms of lighting type, equipment, and light color.
2. Bridge Type: The shape, size, materials, and use of the bridge play a fundamental role in choosing the type of lighting. For example, the lighting of an arch suspension bridge will be different from a simple concrete bridge.
3. Environmental Impact: Reducing light pollution and using energy-efficient and environmentally friendly equipment should be prioritized.
4. Technical Considerations: The selection of the type of lamp, projector, and other lighting equipment should be done according to weather conditions, pollution levels, and the lighting needs of the bridge.
5. Security: Bridge lighting should be done in a way that ensures the safety of drivers and people at night.

Bridge Lighting Rules

Before starting any bridge lighting project, one should be fully aware of the relevant regulations, standards, and laws. It is recommended to use experienced bridge lighting professionals to design and implement the project. By adhering to the regulations and standards, bridge lighting can be used as a powerful tool to enhance the beauty, safety, and urban identity while also preventing nuisance to the environment and local residents.

In some areas, the use of mercury lamps is prohibited due to their environmental hazards.
The use of LED lamps with high CRI (color rendering index) is recommended due to better light quality and lower energy consumption.
The use of red and orange colors, which can cause disturbance to drivers and pilots, is prohibited.
The use of white or blue-white lights is recommended due to better illumination and reduced light pollution.
Excessive brightness, which can cause glare and light pollution, should be avoided.
In some areas, bridge lights are only allowed to be on during the dark hours of the night.
The use of light control systems is recommended to adjust the lighting of bridges in different conditions.
In some bridge lighting projects, light pollution measurement studies are required before the project begins.
The laws related to bridge lighting may differ from region to region.
Before starting any bridge lighting project, you should find out the relevant laws in your area.

In addition to the laws mentioned, aesthetic, environmental and security considerations should also be taken into account when lighting bridges.

Introducing suitable lights and attractive ideas for bridge lighting

Choosing the right light for bridge lighting depends on various factors such as the type of bridge, the purpose of the lighting, the budget and aesthetic considerations. Here are some of the most common types of lights used in bridge lighting:

LED projectors: These types of lights are the most energy-efficient and widely used lights for bridge lighting. LED projectors and spotlights have low energy consumption and long life and are available in different colors.
LED strip lights: These lights are suitable for creating light lines and edging. LED strip lights or strip lights have low energy consumption and are available in different colors.
LED wall washer lights: These lights are suitable for lighting large surfaces such as under the bridge deck. LED wall washer lights have low energy consumption and have different colors.
Attractive ideas for bridge lighting

Dynamic lighting

Instead of using static lighting, you can use dynamic lighting that changes color or intensity to give the bridge a dynamic and eye-catching effect. This type of lighting can be synchronized with music or special events, adding a special excitement to the environment.
Interactive lighting

Using sensors and interactive technologies, you can design bridge lighting to react to the passage of people or vehicles, creating unique light patterns.
3D Lighting

Using 3D lighting techniques, you can project images onto the bridge surface or create dramatic optical illusions.
Colored Lighting
Using colored lights, you can illuminate a wide range of colors on the bridge and create a cheerful and attractive atmosphere. This type of lighting is very suitable for special occasions such as celebrations and holidays.

Important Points in Bridge Lighting

When choosing lighting ideas, pay attention to the surroundings of the bridge, the urban identity, and the tastes of the local people.
Use high-quality lighting equipment that is resistant to weather conditions.
Pay attention to energy consumption and maintenance costs of the equipment.
Before implementing any lighting project, consult experienced experts in the field of bridge lighting.

Conclusion
By using creativity and new ideas, you can turn bridge lighting into a work of art that not only adds a beautiful effect to the night, but can also be considered as a tourist attraction.