MedSkyTour – Interreg Euro-MED – Co-funded by the European Union
C2.1 · Smart operation

Dimming and part-night lighting

Lower or switch off lights in the late-night hours when streets are empty – with timers, sensors or adaptive smart control.

100% 50% Dusk 23:00 05:00 Dawn Quiet hours: dimmed Best hours for stargazing and wildlife
Example schedule only – each authority sets its own hours and levels.

Cost

€€€

Pays back through energy savings

Effort

Medium

Time to implement

Weeks – months

Faster on LED networks already dimming-ready

Lighting zones

All zones

Priority: residential streets and nature-park zones

In one minute

Most street lights burn at full power all night, although after midnight few people are out. Dimming lowers the light in the quiet hours; part-night lighting switches selected lights off. Smart systems go further: they dim adaptively and raise the light when sensors detect people or traffic.

The result: lower electricity bills and darker skies exactly in the hours that matter most for stargazers and for nocturnal wildlife.

What it solves

  • Sky glow after midnight
  • Energy use and cost
  • Disturbance of nocturnal wildlife
  • Light intrusion into bedrooms

Who can act

Municipality

Programme dimming schedules on its network; add smart control when renewing lights.

Region

Require dimming-ready luminaires in funding calls and on regional roads.

Protected area / park

Switch off non-essential lights after visiting hours.

Business

Timers and sensors on signs, car parks and façades after closing time.

Citizen

Motion-sensor garden and entrance lights instead of all-night lamps.

How to do it

  1. 1Map night useWhich streets are busy at night; which spots need full light.
  2. 2Agree the scheduleWith police, civil protection and residents.
  3. 3SpecifyDimming-ready luminaires and controls in tenders.
  4. 4PilotStart in one neighbourhood or village.
  5. 5InformTell residents why and when – signs, local press, social media.
  6. 6Monitor and adjustTrack energy and feedback; extend to other areas.

Watch out for

  • Feelings of safety: involve residents early and explain the schedule.
  • Keep crossings and key junctions lit as national road-lighting rules require.
  • Older lamps may not dim well – dimming often goes with LED renewal.
  • Use simple motion sensors, not cameras, to avoid data-protection issues.

How to measure progress

  • Electricity use, kWh per year
  • % of luminaires on a dimming or part-night schedule
  • Hours of reduced lighting per night
  • Sky brightness after midnight at a fixed point (SQM)
  • Resident feedback and complaints

Funding and legal basis

  • Municipal budget, regional energy-efficiency calls, energy performance contracts repaid from savings
  • Schedules are usually a municipal decision; check national road-lighting rules first

Seen in our partner regions

All good practices →
SI · BSC Kranj Smart public lighting upgrade in Leše, Senično and Sebenje, Tržič Street lighting modernised with LED and smart control. Read the practice → HR · ICE Smart public lighting, City of Karlovac Adaptive lighting and smart control under an energy performance (ESCO) contract. Read the practice → SI · BSC Kranj Smart lighting in Ceconi Park, Bohinjska Bistrica Park lighting with dark-sky-friendly LED luminaires and smart control. Read the practice →

Ready to start?

Download a model schedule, the tender wording and the letter of intent, and tell us your authority will apply this measure.

Templates (ZIP) Sign a letter of intent

Related measures

Sources

  • DarkSky International – Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting ("Controlled")
  • EU green public procurement criteria for road lighting (2018) – dimming capability
  • MedSkyTour D3.1.1 Starlight Self-Assessment Guide; D3.2.1 Transnational Starlight Guidelines