It is reported that a wireless control network consisting of 15,000 lamps transforms London into a “smart city.” 

In addition to lighting control (with dimming), the system also supports applications such as traffic and parking monitoring, occupancy sensing, environmental monitoring, and asset management. 

It is reported that the platform provided by Itron and Urban Control is a set of open source networks based on Wi-Sun Alliance standards. 

The system sends RF signals to the nodes of each street lamp through a few access points. Each node has its own IP address and acts as a relay for every other node, thereby forming a “net”.

“Metering equipment was a pain in the neck five years ago, as we needed light reconnaissance aircraft to check for malfunctions. We are seeking to add innovative smart city applications,” said Giles Radford, highways manager of London. 

With the addition of the wireless control network, it strikes a better balance between light and dark: meeting functional and aesthetic needs. 

At the same time, there is a variable color temperature strategy. The illumination level is 4000K for trunk roads, 3000K for bypass roads, and 2700K for traditional lamps and “key areas”. The dimming settings and illumination levels are self-adapting and can be modified through interactive techniques. 

Street lamps also include pollution and air quality sensors, as well as vehicle traffic sensors for monitoring real-time traffic data. 

To ensure the continuity of this strategy and the sustained upgrading of lighting, the government of London has established a streetlamp committee which carries out continuous upgrading and development.