LED Parking Garages

&
Controls
Course Disclaimer
• This is not an IES endorsed course nor have they reviewed or
approved the material being presented.
• This course intended to help individuals understand RP-20-14
and gain a better understanding how its recommendations
impact lighting design in the outdoor environment.
• Every attempt has been made to accurately represent the
information within RP-20-14
• Local building and energy codes take precedent with lighting
designs and specifications.
• The goal of the RP is to help users make informed decision
about light source technology and equipment – in an effort
to achieve the minimum recommended light levels.
Related Publications
• IES RP-17-87 - Airport Road and Automobile Parking Area Lighting
• Traffic Engineering Handbook - Institute of Transportation Engineers (1992)
• Followed RP-20-84)
• Guidelines for Parking Facility Location & Design - Urban Land Institute (2000)
• IES RP-33-14 - Lighting for Exterior Environments
• Provides recommendations for lighting for outdoor areas other than parking lots and roadways
• IES/IDA MLO-2011 (Model Lighting Ordinance)
• IES G-1-03 – Guideline for Security Lighting for People, Property and Public Spaces
• IES Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition
• Includes many sub areas of parking facilities which previously had not been addressed
• IES DG-10-12 - Choosing Light Sources for General Lighting
• ANSI/IES RP-16-10 – Nomenclature & Definitions
• IES TM-15-07, TM-15-11(A) - Luminaire Classification System for Outdoor Luminaires
• LM-64-01 – Guide for the Photometric Measurement of Parking Areas, for vehicle-free
pavement
RP-20-14: Purpose and Scope
• To provide general recommendations for the design of fixed
lighting for parking facilities
• Deals entirely with lighting, does not give advise on
construction
• Provides recommended practices for new lighting systems
• Not intended to be applied to existing lighting systems, until they are
redesigned
• Represents “current good practice”
• Includes interior and exterior lighting practices for “reasonably
safe” movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in parking
facilities
• Enhancing personal safety and security
• Deterring vandalism and theft
• Optimizing energy use
• Minimizing maintenance
RP-20-14: Purpose and Scope
• Guidelines exclude recommendations for:
• Public roads (RP-8-14, Roadway Lighting)
• Environmental Issues (RP-33-14, Exterior Environments)
• Security Lighting (G-1-03, Security Lighting for People, Property
& Public Spaces)

• Also excluded:
• Computer-controlled, automated vehicle parking facilities
• Curb parking along streets
• Single family residential parking pads and garages
• Garages for vehicle repair or new car storage
• Rest area parking (IESNA G-1-03)
• Outdoor pedestrian walkways that are separate from parking
areas (ANSI/IES RP-8-14)
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage

IESNA REQUIREMENTS: RP-20-14

 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
IESNA REQUIREMENTS: RP-20-14
 1960 RP-20-84 RP-20-98 RP-20-14
Light Levels from the 1960s through RP-20-98
Luminance Based Standards
Illuminance Based Standards    
Focus on Average  
Focus on Minimum  
Vertical Footcandle Values Specified   

Basic Values (footcandles) 0.25 to 1.0 Ave. 0.2 to 1.0 Ave. 0.2 Min

Enhanced Values Double Values Double Values in More Granular

0.5 Min. Specification
(footcandles) in Entrance/Exit Entrance/Exit
Parking Lots Including Pre
Ave. to Min. Uniformity 4:1 4:1 and Post
Curfew Values
20:1 basic
Max. to Min. Uniformity 15:1
enhanced

Basic Values (footcandles) 1.0 More Granular

Specification
Enhanced Values Including
Parking Garages (footcandles) Occupied and
Ave. to Min. Uniformity Unoccupied
Values
Max. to Min. Uniformity 10:1
RP-20-14 – New Considerations
• Age-based recommendations are also discussed
• RP-8-14 – Section 4.10, IES Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition, Chapter 4,
Section 4.12.2 Basis
• Lighting zones (LZ) are discussed for the first time
• Indicates lower light levels in the parking facility when the LZ
has less dependence on fixed lighting
• However setting minimum levels based on LZ1 and increasing
levels for higher LZs (2, 3 and 4) could not be supported.

Lighting Zones
Corresponds with IES RP-33 definitions
LZ0: No ambient lighting
LZ1: Low ambient lighting
LZ2: Moderate ambient lighting
LZ3: Moderately high ambient lighting
LZ4: High ambient lighting
RP-20-14 – New Considerations
• Increased emphasis on energy conservation and light
tress pass since RP-20-98
• IES Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition Includes many sub areas of parking
facilities which previously had not been addressed:
• Payment transaction areas, passenger drop-off areas, corners and turning areas
• Many new recommendations for vertical illuminance in parking garages
• This new update recognizes differences in reflectance between concrete
(R1) and asphalt (R3) surfaces.
• Led to a visibility-based system of recommended lighting levels
• Calculations based on reflectance and contrast between important surfaces
(pavement vs. wheel stops and curbs) has caused illuminance recommendations
to be higher in some conditions)

Paved Surfaces
R1 = portland-cement concrete
R2 = asphalt, aggregate consists of minimum 60%
gravel passing 3/8-in. sieve
R3 = asphalt, rough texture (typical highway)
R4 = asphalt, smooth texture
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage

24/7/365 ‣ MAY REPRESENT THE GREATEST

TANGIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW
FACILTIES CONSTRUCTION AND RETROFIT TODAY
• MASS TRANSIT ‣ REQUIRE SPECIALIZED LIGHTING
• CITY CENTERS EQUIPMENT TO DELIVER TASK-SPECIFIC
• SHOPPING CENTERS LIGHT LEVELS AT REDUCED MOUNTING
• HIGHER EDUCATION HEIGHTS
• FEDERAL
• INSTITUTIONS ‣ HIGH-ACTIVITY 24/7/365 FACILITIES WITH
• AIRPORTS HIGH ENERGY USAGE AND FREQUENT
• DESTINATIONS LAMP AND BALLAST SERVICE
• CORPORATE CAMPUS
‣ LOW HANGING FRUIT
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage

EXAMPLE Original HID System:

• WHAT DOES IT COST ‣OPERATING HOURS: 24
TO RETROFIT A
PARKING GARAGE? ‣HID WATTAGE: 175W
‣5 FLOOR FACILITY

5
‣130 FIXTURES / FLOOR
4
‣650 TOTAL FIXTURES
3
2
Level 1
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
LED ALTERNATE:
• WHAT DOES IT COST
TO RETROFIT A
‣24H X 210W X 130 X 5 = 3276KWh
PARKING GARAGE?

‣ 3276KWh @ $0.08KWh* = $262.08 / Day

‣$262.08 x 365 = $95,659.20 / Year
5
4
3
2
Level 1
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage

EXAMPLE LED ALTERNATE:

• WHAT DOES IT COST ‣OPERATING HOURS: 24
TO RETROFIT A
PARKING GARAGE? ‣LED WATTAGE: 30W*
‣5 FLOOR FACILITY

5
‣130 FIXTURES / FLOOR
4
‣650 TOTAL FIXTURES
3
2 *30W fixture is a commercially available product selected to
maximize the potential savings available for this calculation while
Level 1 meeting RP-8 recommended illumination values (>1fc min, better
than 10:1 Max-to-Min)
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
LED ALTERNATE:
• WHAT DOES IT COST
TO RETROFIT A
‣24H X 30W* X 130 X 5 = 468KWh
PARKING GARAGE?

‣ 468KWh @ $0.08KWh* = $37.44 / Day

‣$37.44 x 365 = $13,665.60 / Year
5
4
3
2
•Average commercial energy rate in NC = 0.082/KWh
Level 1
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
Total Cost of Ownership:

HID LED
Annual Energy Cost $95,659.20 $13,665.60
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
Maintenance Comparison:

HID (MTBF) LED (L70)

Rated Lamp Hours 10,000 70,000
Yrs. of Op. @ 24H / Day 1.14 8
Lamps used in 8 Years 7 8
Lamp Cost $25 $250
Labor (Fully Burdened $) $25 $25
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
HID Maintenance Cost:
• WHAT DOES IT COST
TO RETROFIT A
‣650 Fixtures
PARKING GARAGE?

‣Replacement Lamp Cost: $50 (Labor & Material)

‣Cost of 650 Fixtures: $32,500 (every 1.14 Years)
‣In 8 Years: $228,070.18
5

‣Average Annual Maintenance Cost: $28,508.77

4
3
2
Level 1
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
Total Cost of Ownership:

HID LED
Annual Energy Cost $95,659.20 $13,665.60
Maint. Cost (Avg. Annual) $28,508.77 $0
Total $124,167.79 $13,665.60

Average Annual Savings: $110,003.26

 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
Payback Analysis:
• WHAT DOES IT COST
TO RETROFIT A
‣650 Fixtures @ $250:
PARKING GARAGE?
$162,500
‣Installation: $50,000 (~$77/ea)
‣Total Initial Cost: $212,500

‣Assuming An Average Annual Savings: $110,003.26:

‣ 1.93 Year R.O.I.

5
4
3
2
Level 1
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
EXAMPLE
‣Assuming An Average Annual Savings: $110,003.26:
• WHAT DOES IT COST
TO RETROFIT A
‣ Cumulative Cash (At 8 Years)
PARKING GARAGE?

‣Total Annual Savings: $888,026.09

‣Less Initial Cost: -$212,500.00
‣Cumulative Cash: $675,526.09

5
4
3
2
Level 1
LED
SPECIFICATION & DESIGN
FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP

Parking
Structures
& Controls
BEACON
PRODUCTS
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Baseline Energy Usage

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
ENERGY USUAGE
Daylight Sensor Occupant Sensor
Fixtures Energy Usage
(100% reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 0 0 10.08

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 0 0 53.28

P 42 30 24 30.24 0 0 0 0 30.24

93.6
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Level 1

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
Daylight Sensor Occupant ENERGY USUAGE
Fixtures Energy Usage (100% Sensor
reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 2 -0.42 9.66

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 2 -2.22 51.06

P 42 30 24 30.24 12 -15.12 0 0.00 15.12

75.84
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Level 2

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
Daylight Sensor Occupant ENERGY USUAGE
Fixtures Energy Usage (100% Sensor
reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 5 -1.05 9.03

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 6 -6.66 46.62

P 42 30 24 30.24 12 -15.12 6 -2.18 12.94

68.59
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Level 3

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
Daylight Sensor Occupant ENERGY USUAGE
Fixtures Energy Usage (100% Sensor
reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 6 -1.26 8.82

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 8 -8.88 44.40

P 42 30 24 30.24 12 -15.12 8 -2.90 12.22

65.44
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Level 4

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
Daylight Sensor Occupant ENERGY USUAGE
Fixtures Energy Usage (100% Sensor
reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 8 -1.68 8.40

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 10 -11.10 42.18

P 42 30 24 30.24 12 -15.12 10 -3.63 11.49

62.07
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Level 5

Zone Reduction

TOTAL
Daylight Sensor Occupant ENERGY USUAGE
Fixtures Energy Usage (100% Sensor
reduction) (50% reduction)

HR / HR / HR /
# WATTAGE KWh KWh KWh KWh
DAY DAY DAY

R 14 30 24 10.08 0 0 12 -2.52 7.56

C 74 30 24 53.28 0 0 16 -17.76 35.52

P 42 30 24 30.24 12 -15.12 17 -6.17 8.95

52.03
 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Energy Usage)

Level HID LED LED w/ Controls

1 655.2 93.60 75.84

2 655.2 93.60 68.59

3 655.2 93.60 65.44

4 655.2 93.60 62.07

5 655.2 93.60 52.03

Total KWh / Day 3276.00 468.00 323.97

 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Energy Usage)

HID LED LED w/ Controls

Total KWh / Day 3276.00 468.00 323.97

$ / Day $262.08 $37.44 $25.92

$ / Year $95,659.20 $13,665.60 $9,459.98

 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Annual Operating Costs)

System HID LED LED / Controls

Energy $95,659.20 $13,665.60 $9,459.98

Maint. $28,508.77 $0.00 $0.00

Totals $124,167.97 $13,665.60 $9,459.98

 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Simple Payback Analysis)

System HID LED LED / Controls*

Savings $0.00 $110,502.37 $114,707.99

Initial $ (Mat + Lab.) $0.00 $212.500.00 $245,000.00

ROI (Years) N/A 1.93 2.13

* Assumes $50.00 cost premium for fixture with controls

 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Lamp Source Summary)

Usage HID LED LED / Controls*

Hours / Day 24 24 16.13

Hours / Year 8760 8760 5888.67

Years of operation 1.14 8 12

Cumulative Cash $675,526.09 $1,080,815.35

*Quantitative valuation of fixtures reduced to 50% is .5 per effected operating hour

 PARKING STRUCTURE
EXAMPLE & CONTROLS

‣ Comparison (Summary)
‣ Controls may significant impact ROI and Cumulative cash
flow

‣ The cost NOT TO USE CONTROLS may be several times the

initial cost of the LED fixtures

‣ As one might expect , ROI becomes more dependant of

maintenance avoidance as LED wattage increases
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
‣ Technology Comparison
‣ Linear fluorescent may represent
the lowest initial fixture cost, but
more fixtures, junction boxes, labor
maintenance and energy may be
required to meet RP-20 minimum
illumination and uniformity
requirements.
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
‣ Technology Comparison
LAMP DELIVERED LAMP FIXTURE
SYSTEM WATTAGE LLF AVG MAX MIN AVG/MIN MAX/MIN
LUMENS LUMENS L/W L/W

3xT8 82 8,700 6,467 0.73 4.07 14.40 0.80 5.09 18.00 106.10 78.87

LED48 44 N/A 3,648 0.85 2.68 4.00 1.40 1.91 2.86 N/A 82.53

LED90 89 N/A 6,165 0.85 4.47 6.70 2.30 1.94 2.91 N/A 69.50

‣ Linear fluorescent
sources are not
maintenance free.
 LED & Controls | Parking Garage
‣ Technology Comparison

‣ Wasted Energy

‣ LED Opportunity
Thank you.