Lighting columns play an important role in the infrastructure of smart cities. They offer a practical and cost-effective solution for hosting a range of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices. To support the development of our future cities, two new documents have been published to provide a common framework for the design, installation, and maintenance of multifunctional columns in smart city infrastructure.

By repurposing existing lighting columns, local authorities can save costs on installing new infrastructure and minimize disruption to the urban environment. Additionally, multifunctional columns can provide valuable data that can be used to optimize and enhance city services, such as traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring.

To do this effectively, owners of street infrastructure assets - including Local Authorities (LAs) and landlords - are increasingly asking for a common framework and terminology to help them decide the suitability of existing assets for current and future demands. As well as to support investment decisions for upgrades and replacements.

As a result, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), has sponsored the development of two Publicly Available Specifications (PASs): PAS 190 and PAS 191.

PAS 190 is a code of practice that provides a set of recommendations to assess and categorize current lighting and CCTV column inventories for multi-functional use, while PAS 191 is a specification that provides requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of multifunctional columns.

Discover more about how standards are supporting innovation in the public sector by visiting our Public Sector Topic Page.

PAS 190: Assess current lighting and CCTV columns for multi-functional use

PAS 190 Existing lighting and CCTV columns – Assessment for multi-functional use – Code of practice provides a set of recommendations to assess and categorize current lighting and CCTV column inventories for multi-functional use in smart city infrastructure.

The PAS covers the technical factors relevant for assessing the suitability of modifying current column inventories for multi-functional use, including small cell radio access points (base stations including 4G and 5G networks), non-illuminated signage, advertising banners, hanging baskets, festive decorations, CCTV and other safety devices, sensors and other IoT devices, electric vehicle charging points, public address systems, and powered digital signage.

The purpose of PAS 190 is to support local authorities, PFI providers, highways authorities, mobile network operators, neutral host operators, manufacturers and suppliers of smart city infrastructure, and installers and maintenance providers make strategic assessments of lighting and CCTV columns for multi-functional use.

PAS 191: Design, installation and maintenance requirements for multifunctional columns

PAS 191 Multifunctional columns – Design – Specification specifies design, installation, and maintenance requirements for multifunctional columns or structures based on one or more core functions, such as lighting, CCTV, sign poles, traffic signals, and mast-type structures.

It covers various design and performance attributes, including smart equipment hosting, attachments, aesthetic function, physical security, durability, installation, and maintenance.

The PAS is intended for use by specifiers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors of multifunctional columns, as well as installers of attachments and equipment on such columns. Infrastructure owners, managers, and mobile network and neutral host operators can also benefit from this PAS when considering procuring assets for new locations or where existing assets are unsuitable for additional multifunctional use.

Overall, the use of PAS 190 and PAS 191 can help promote the development of smart cities that are safe, secure, sustainable, and effective at meeting the needs of their citizens.

Download both the documents today from BSI Knowledge.