How Washington, D.C., modernized its trails for safety and style
In June 2024, Washington, D.C., completed one of the most ambitious public lighting upgrades in the country. The Smart Street Lighting Project, the largest public-private partnership (P3) of its kind in the U.S., transformed more than 75,000 outdated streetlights into a modern, energy-efficient, and smart-controlled network.
More than a technical achievement, this initiative has delivered tangible benefits to the nation’s capital, fostering safer streets and parks and a stronger sense of community for residents and visitors alike. While the project spanned the entire city, its impact is especially visible—and appreciated—on the city’s popular park trails, where lighting plays a critical role in safety, accessibility, and aesthetics.
For parks and recreation departments considering similar upgrades, the D.C. project offers valuable lessons in collaboration, customization, and community engagement.
A Vision For Safer, Smarter Trails
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) set out with a clear vision: enhance public safety, improve energy efficiency, and preserve the historic charm of the city’s neighborhoods and greenspaces. This meant that lighting upgrades had to meet strict technical and aesthetic standards.
From a technical standpoint, the project contractor noted that the provisions set out by DDOT were unprecedented. Essentially, the city was looking for “everything”: high efficiency, warm color temperatures, minimal uplight, the right aesthetics, and full integration with a smart control platform.
The lighting had to meet specific criteria: 2700K–3000K color temperature, 80+ color rendering index (CRI), and Dark Sky compliance with less than 10% uplight. And all of this was to be packaged within very specific aesthetic guidelines for each neighborhood. These requirements were especially important for trails like the ones in Klingle Valley, Rock Creek, and the Metropolitan Branch, where lighting must balance visibility with environmental sensitivity.
Custom Solutions For Unique Spaces
One of the key challenges was adapting new lighting technology to existing infrastructure. On the Klingle Valley Trail, for example, the team selected a Victorian-inspired luminaire design that blended seamlessly with the surroundings. The LED optical system met the DDOT technical specifications, and, in fact, technicians were able to install the new luminaires on existing poles.
However, integrating smart controls into these fixtures required creative problem-solving. The team had to find real estate on the luminaire to add a 7-pin receptacle, enabling it to be networked with the city’s new lighting control platform. So, the sales and production teams at Cyclone Lighting, the luminaire manufacturer, collaborated with the project contractor to find the right solution. The luminaire was modified so the receptacle could be incorporated into the base of the light.
On the Rock Creek and Metropolitan Branch Trails, the design team faced a different challenge. Aesthetics were particularly important, and DDOT wanted a look that did not vary too much from the original. A classic dome-style luminaire was selected, and while it was considered a comparable yet enhanced twist on the original aesthetic, there was a technical concern. This luminaire was also to be installed on existing posts, but its shepherd’s hook form was at odds with the old design. And there was still the issue of integrating the 7-pin receptacle.
This prompted another round of collaboration and customization between the contractor and manufacturer. The final solution was for the manufacturer to modify the arm’s shape, and it was determined that the receptacle could be incorporated onto the top of the post as the new arm and luminaire were being installed.
Community-Centered Design
While technical performance was critical, community perception played an equally important role. Trails are not only transportation corridors—they’re recreational spaces, gathering places, and vital links in the urban fabric. Lighting needed to enhance the user experience without overwhelming it.
Feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Families have commented that they feel so much safer as they bike along the trails. The lighting looks great, but more importantly, it makes people feel good.
This emotional response is a reminder that lighting is about more than lumens and watts. It’s about creating environments where people feel welcome, secure, and connected.
Lessons For Parks And Recreation Leaders
For departments considering similar upgrades, the D.C. project offers several key takeaways:
1. Start With Clear Goals
Define what success looks like from the outset. Is it energy savings? Improved safety? Aesthetic consistency? In D.C., the answer was “all of the above,” which helped guide every design and engineering decision.
2. Engage Stakeholders Early
From city planners to community members, early engagement ensures the final product meets everyone’s needs. In D.C., collaboration among engineers, manufacturers, and city officials was essential to overcome design and installation challenges.
3. Reuse Where Possible
Reusing existing poles and infrastructure can significantly reduce costs and environmental impact. However, this often requires custom solutions to adapt new technology to old systems.
4. Plan For Smart Controls
Smart lighting systems offer long-term benefits in terms of maintenance, energy use, and adaptability. But they also require upfront planning—especially when retrofitting older fixtures.
5. Prioritize Aesthetics
Lighting should enhance the character of a space, not detract from it. In parks and trails, this often means choosing fixtures that blend with the natural or historic environment.
6. Embrace Innovation
This project has set a precedent for future urban lighting initiatives. The use of QR-coded fixtures and real-time tracking software played a critical role in quality control, minimizing errors, and ensuring the right lights were installed in the correct locations. Other lessons learned, such as the importance of factory-level driver configuration and on-site testing, have been shared with other cities considering similar upgrades. The Washington, D.C., project has become a model for municipalities looking to balance historic preservation, modern technology, and community well-being.
Budgeting And Costs
While the total cost of the D.C. project was substantial, the long-term savings in energy and maintenance are expected to offset the investment. For smaller municipalities, phased implementation or grant funding may be viable options. It’s also worth noting that reusing existing infrastructure can cut costs significantly.
Final Thoughts
The Washington, D.C. Smart Street Lighting Project demonstrates that, with the right planning, collaboration, and attention to detail, it’s possible to modernize public lighting in a way that enhances safety, preserves character, and delights the community.
For parks and recreation professionals, the message is clear: lighting matters. It shapes how people experience public spaces—especially after dark. And with today’s technology, it’s possible to deliver lighting that is efficient, beautiful, and smart.