Is Your Pedestrian Crossing Lighting Compliant? Use Our Free Self-Assessment Tool
Good lighting is one of the most important safety features a pedestrian crossing can have — and one of the most commonly overlooked and misunderstood. Under Australian Standard AS/NZS 1158.4:2024, pedestrian crossing lighting must meet specific minimum lighting levels, yet many crossings, including newly installed ones, fail to meet them. To help, we've put together this simple self-assessment tool.
The tool is designed to give you a useful, preliminary indication in under two minutes of whether a professional lighting assessment is likely to be required. It asks you a series of short questions about your crossing including safety history, and the current state of your pedestrian crossing light(s).
How to use it
Before you start, it helps to have a basic picture of your crossing in mind including whether it has any existing lighting, roughly how it’s laid out, and whether you’re aware of any safety concerns or planned works. To help, you can also use our interactive pedestrian crossing risk map to get an idea of where your crossing are located and accidents that have occurred nearby, as well as satellite and street views. You don’t necessarily need technical data or specific lux readings to complete the tool — it’s intended as a first-pass check, not a formal audit.
A few things to keep in mind:
The tool is a guide, not a compliance assessment. The result it produces is based solely on the answers you provide and some of the general compliance criteria of AS/NZS 1158.4:2024. It does not account for site-specific factors such as surrounding ambient light, mounting height, pole placement, road geometry, or the specific luminaire in use and is not a substitute for reading the full applicable Australian Standards. Only a formal lighting design and measurement assessment can determine actual compliance.
If you’re unsure of an answer, always err on the side of caution. If you’re not certain whether your lighting levels are adequate for example, assume they may not be. The consequences of under-lit crossings are serious — inadequately lit crossings increase the risk of accidents.
The compliance category matters. PX1 crossings with higher traffic volumes are subject to stricter requirements than PX2. If you’re unsure which category applies to your crossing, your road authority or a lighting engineer can help.
Safety concerns always warrant an assessment. If there has been a history of accidents or near-misses at a crossing, or if a safety audit has flagged concerns, a professional lighting assessment should be arranged regardless of what the tool indicates.
Safety First
There is no substitute for a formal lighting assessment. Leadsun’s lighting engineers can prepare a full lighting design and compliance report for your crossing. We work with councils, road authorities and asset managers across Australia and New Zealand. If in doubt, contact our team.
Does your pedestrian crossing
need a lighting upgrade?
Answer a few short questions about your crossing and we'll tell you whether a lighting assessment is recommended under Australian Standards.
Is there a safety concern or a history of accidents at this crossing?
Is the crossing being upgraded and does better lighting need to be considered?
What is the recommended compliance category for the crossing?
Is the crossing on a local road (PX2) or a higher category road like an arterial or distributor road (PX1)?
Is there any existing lighting at this crossing?
Does the crossing include at least two lights — one on each approach side before the crossing?
Both the crossing markings and any pedestrians using the crossing must be visible from each direction of approach.
Are the lighting levels adequate?
Pedestrian crossing lighting must be significantly higher than standard road or street lighting and be distinctly noticeable — ensuring the crossing is clearly visible for both drivers and pedestrians.
Is the lighting compliant with Australian Standards?
Under AS/NZS 1158.4:2024, the lighting must achieve a minimum of 20 lux horizontal illuminance and 12 lux vertical illuminance at the crossing.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided for general information and indicative guidance purposes only. It does not constitute professional engineering advice, a formal lighting assessment, or a compliance determination. Results are based solely on user-provided answers and a high-level summary of AS/NZS 1158.4:2024, and do not account for site-specific conditions, surrounding infrastructure, interpretation of the standard, or other factors that may affect compliance with AS/NZS 1158.4:2024 or any other applicable standard or regulation. Leadsun accepts no liability for any loss, damage, injury, or non-compliance arising from reliance on the results of this tool. A formal lighting design and assessment by a qualified engineer is required to determine actual compliance. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions about safety-critical infrastructure.
