City lighting systems fault detection and intelligent lighting system

The rapid increase in global urbanization and population density has necessitated the more efficient, reliable, and sustainable management of urban infrastructure systems. In this context, urban street lighting systems have emerged as critical infrastructure components due to their significant share in energy consumption and their direct impact on urban safety and quality of life. Failures occurring particularly in lighting installations in public areas pose threats to life and property safety, disrupt service continuity, and lead to energy waste. This study initially identifies common types of failures in current lighting infrastructures through a comprehensive literature review, followed by the analysis of technical data obtained from Dicle Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş., the regional electricity distribution operator. Based on field observations, maintenance records, and expert opinions, failures in urban lighting systems are categorized under various headings, primarily as hardware-related and operational failures. A lighting control system that can be integrated into the existing infrastructure is proposed in this thesis. The proposed system is evaluated under three different scenarios, and its energy-saving potential is assessed. Scenario 1, serving as the reference, assumes a constant 100% lighting throughout the night and results in the highest energy consumption of 1625.41 kWh. In Scenario 2, lighting is proportionally reduced based on hourly pedestrian and vehicle density, achieving an energy saving of 44.2%. Scenario 3 reduces lighting to a constant 50% after midnight, yielding a 25% reduction in total energy consumption. Each scenario includes calculations of illuminance values provided by luminaires at different lighting levels, offering a multidimensional analysis that considers both energy consumption and visual comfort. Through the proposed structure, it becomes possible for the system to self-monitor and direct maintenance teams without requiring manual fault reports. This study offers practical recommendations for improving the fault management processes of current urban lighting systems and serves as a preparatory step toward the implementation of smart infrastructure applications. The findings provide a decision-support tool for distribution companies and lay the groundwork for structural improvements contributing to the transition to intelligent lighting systems in the future. Keywords: Lighting systems, Fault detection, Energy efficiency, Maintenance planning, Distribution network management