Complex problems can sometimes be addressed with simple solutions.
One utility client approached NSI with a challenge that many utilities face: gaining a clear understanding of the condition of their streetlight systems across the communities they serve. Existing methods were not providing a reliable picture.
Historically, outages were identified in two primary ways. Repair contractors would discover and fix lights while working in the field, and residents could report outages directly to the utility.
Both methods helped, but neither provided a comprehensive view of the system.
Contractors repair the outages they encounter, but they are not patrolling entire communities looking for additional problems. Community reporting is equally inconsistent. Some outages are reported quickly, while others go unnoticed for long periods of time.
In some cases, outages go unreported intentionally. Residents may prefer less lighting near their homes, or they may hesitate to report issues if repair work could temporarily block streets or driveways.
Over time, the utility realized they lacked a reliable way to understand the overall health of their streetlighting infrastructure.
Designing a Practical Inspection Method
When the utility asked NSI to help address the issue, the goal was not simply to identify individual outages. The objective was to find a practical way to evaluate the condition of an entire system.
After reviewing the tools available and the utility’s existing GIS records, NSI developed a structured patrol approach designed to inspect communities on a comprehensive basis.
The utility maintains GIS data for its streetlight infrastructure, including pole locations, light type, wattage, serial numbers, and a code identifying the community leasing each fixture. This data is loaded into a GPS-enabled mapping application on an iPad used by field teams during patrol.
The system tracks the team’s progress in real time to ensure every street in the community is covered.
Over the course of one to three nights, the team patrols the entire community and verifies the condition of each light.
Non-functioning lights are flagged directly in the application. If a light listed in the GIS data cannot be located in the field, it is marked as missing so the utility can investigate potential discrepancies in its records. The inspection platform can also be configured to capture additional information. During previous patrols, teams have flagged fixtures that had not yet been converted to LED. Field teams have also identified LED fixtures producing a blue or purple hue, a known indicator of manufacturing defects that cause LED coatings to degrade over time.
A Practical Alternative to Smart Monitoring
Across the industry, utilities are evaluating smart lighting systems that allow individual fixtures to report outages automatically and provide real-time operational data.
While those systems offer certain advantages, implementing them across an existing lighting network can require substantial investment in upgraded fixtures, sensors, and communication infrastructure.
For this client, the patrol approach provided a practical way to maintain visibility into system performance, at a fraction of the cost of converting to a smart grid.
By systematically inspecting communities, the utility was able to gain a reliable understanding of streetlight conditions without the upfront cost of large-scale infrastructure upgrades.
Better Visibility Improves Maintenance
Community-wide patrols provide something reactive reporting cannot: a clear view of the system.
Instead of responding to scattered outage reports, the utility receives a comprehensive list of issues within each community. Repair crews can address multiple outages in a single area rather than responding to isolated service calls.
Inspection data also reveals patterns. If outages cluster in certain areas or involve particular fixture types, the issue may point to aging infrastructure, electrical problems, or equipment failures rather than individual lamp failures.
With better information, the utility can allocate repair resources more effectively and address underlying issues sooner.
Supporting Better Community Relations
Reliable streetlighting is also important from a community relations standpoint.
Before implementing the patrol program, some communities experienced persistent outages that led to complaints filed with the state public service commission. Complaints like these can affect how utilities are viewed during regulatory proceedings, particularly when service performance becomes part of rate adjustment discussions.
By proactively inspecting communities and identifying outages earlier, the utility was able to address problems before they escalated. The patrol program provided clearer visibility into lighting conditions and helped reduce the number of complaints raised by municipalities and residents.
A Simple Solution with Real Impact
Utilities continue to explore new technologies to improve infrastructure management, and many of those tools will play an important role in the future.
But effective asset management still begins with understanding what is happening in the field.
In this case, a simple inspection program provided the visibility needed to move from reactive maintenance toward proactive system awareness.
Sometimes the most effective solution is simply taking the time to look.
