In June of 2021, the City of Atlanta and Georgia Power entered a partnership to increase the city’s street lighting footprint. Crews have installed more than 30,000 lights across the city, with another 5,000 on the way.
ATLDOT’s Light Up the Night partnership with Georgia Power successfully illustrates how data-driven decision-making and innovative technology can save lives. The ATLDOT-Georgia Power partnership has been a win-win for roadway safety on Atlanta streets.
Partnership for Lighting Upgrades: The City of Atlanta, in partnership with Georgia Power, will install and upgrade 20,000 light fixtures in 2024 across the city to enhance public safety and community well-being.
The additional lighting could reduce crime by as much as 20 percent in some areas, while upgrading right-of-way lighting on more than 3,100 roads in more than 100 neighborhoods. Additionally, the upgraded LED lights could provide a 40 percent reduction in the city’s energy usage and lower its annual carbon footprint by approximately 2,000 tons.
Georgia Power has completed 15,000 of 20,000 installations/upgrades scheduled for the 2024 implementation phase. Locations were prioritized and selected based on ATLDOT analytics detailing traffic patterns, pedestrian movement, and incident data.
Progress and Planning: To date, nearly 15,000 locations have been identified for these upgrades. The selection of these locations was informed by data and analytics from the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) which helped prioritize the upgrades based on traffic patterns, pedestrian movement, and incident data.
Technology and Data for Safer Communities: The initiative underscores the importance of using technology and data to address and mitigate issues that arise from poorly lit roadways and neighborhoods. By leveraging these tools, communities can be made safer.
Initial Success of Light Up the Night: The Light Up the Night (LUTN) initiative has demonstrated the effectiveness of using spatial data and community input to strategically identify areas in need of improved lighting and smart technologies. This includes not just roadways but also parks, recreational areas, and senior centers.