Arkansas Roadway Lighting

[M86]

Why is roadway lighting non-existent in this state?  I remember reading something about an AHTD engineer saying that roadway lighting actually hinders safety, which is absolutely ridiculous.

I've asked AHTD about it, and they say it's up to the local municipalities.  I asked about roadway lighting on I-540 in NWA as it's being upgraded.  They told me to contact Benton County/Washington County and the cities along the route.  I did so, and only Fayetteville contacted me back, but only to say that they "forwarded my comments to the appropriate team".  Anyone else see this as really stupid?  In most other states, the state DOT installs lighting where warranted on state-maintained highways/interstates, as far as I know.

[Alps]

Lighting warrants are an inexact science. It's up to each state to determine when lighting is warranted, with a few different standard publications that can be consulted, none of which are requirements. Some states will only light interchanges, others at regular spacing through suburban and urban areas, only in depressed freeways, etc. etc. Arkansas being largely rural until recently, it doesn't surprise me that they don't use a lot of highway lighting. Where exactly are you looking for lighting to be located? Along the entire route, you would be unlikely to see. In particular locations, then name your locations and justification.
If "M86" is an indication that you're not from the USA, then yes, our lighting practices differ from other countries.

[M86]

Lighting warrants are an inexact science. It's up to each state to determine when lighting is warranted, with a few different standard publications that can be consulted, none of which are requirements. Some states will only light interchanges, others at regular spacing through suburban and urban areas, only in depressed freeways, etc. etc. Arkansas being largely rural until recently, it doesn't surprise me that they don't use a lot of highway lighting. Where exactly are you looking for lighting to be located? Along the entire route, you would be unlikely to see. In particular locations, then name your locations and justification.
If "M86" is an indication that you're not from the USA, then yes, our lighting practices differ from other countries.

I'm in Arkansas, not overseas... I'm in Northwest Arkansas, just north of fellow member US71.  
I'm looking for lighting on I-540 between Fayetteville and Bentonville... Traffic volumes are in the 40,000-70,000 with ranges way over 100,000 by 2024.  It's not so much a specific road, but a mentality at AHTD of not installing it when needed.  I think of other states:  Missouri, North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Oklahoma, even Texas (which I've never been to, but StreetView is my friend).

Also, I realize each state is different.  Arkansas is near the bottom when it comes to roadway lighting.

[bugo]

To understand AHTD, you must take a normal DOT and throw away all logic and reason.

[US71]

I-57 in Illionois is well lit until you get to I-80, South of there, it's not well lit at all, except at interchanges.

[Brandon]

Why is roadway lighting non-existent in this state?  I remember reading something about an AHTD engineer saying that roadway lighting actually hinders safety, which is absolutely ridiculous.

I've asked AHTD about it, and they say it's up to the local municipalities.  I asked about roadway lighting on I-540 in NWA as it's being upgraded.  They told me to contact Benton County/Washington County and the cities along the route.  I did so, and only Fayetteville contacted me back, but only to say that they "forwarded my comments to the appropriate team".  Anyone else see this as really stupid?  In most other states, the state DOT installs lighting where warranted on state-maintained highways/interstates, as far as I know.

Actually, I find roadway lighting, when it is done solely at interchanges, most annoying.  I have a special hatred for the high-mast style of lighting that IDOT seems to prefer.  The biggest problem comes in when it rains or is foggy.  The light scatters in the water droplets and makes it harder to see beyond where it is lit.  It also means that one's eyes must adjust from the dark road conditions to the bright interchange and then back again within a minute.  It's better, IMHO, to not have the damned lights and put in more reflectors.

[Henry]

It has always irked me that in L.A., there has never been a continuous string of freeway lights (i.e. in between interchanges), as in most major cities.

[M86]

Why is roadway lighting non-existent in this state?  I remember reading something about an AHTD engineer saying that roadway lighting actually hinders safety, which is absolutely ridiculous.

I've asked AHTD about it, and they say it's up to the local municipalities.  I asked about roadway lighting on I-540 in NWA as it's being upgraded.  They told me to contact Benton County/Washington County and the cities along the route.  I did so, and only Fayetteville contacted me back, but only to say that they "forwarded my comments to the appropriate team".  Anyone else see this as really stupid?  In most other states, the state DOT installs lighting where warranted on state-maintained highways/interstates, as far as I know.

Actually, I find roadway lighting, when it is done solely at interchanges, most annoying.  I have a special hatred for the high-mast style of lighting that IDOT seems to prefer.  The biggest problem comes in when it rains or is foggy.  The light scatters in the water droplets and makes it harder to see beyond where it is lit.  It also means that one's eyes must adjust from the dark road conditions to the bright interchange and then back again within a minute.  It's better, IMHO, to not have the damned lights and put in more reflectors.

I'm not a fan of high-mast interchange lighting either.
It just seems stupid that AHTD's policy on roadway lighting is... Umm... Nothing.
If it's an Interstate highway in a highly traveled, urban area, why should the city/county/local municipality come up with the idea/design/implementation? 

I like the reflectors, but again, AHTD is absolutely horrible at installing/maintaining/consistency when it comes to that.  I live off of US 62-Hudson Road in Rogers (east of I-540), and it looks like AHTD kinda,sorta began installing reflectors in the road, and just gave up.

I guess I'm just too used to the Upper Midwest mentality when it comes to roadway lighting... I think of Omaha, Sioux Falls, etc.