Cost Benefit Analysis of Enhanced Street Lighting
This study is based on:
Data from the UK Home Office which costs and records each crime, with certain categories unaffected by streetlighting, for example cyber crime and fraud excluded.
Data from the UK government on road casualties and the cost of road accidents broken down by road type and then similarly broken down to give total fatalities and serious injuries and the cost for each including lost output, medical and ambulance and human costs.
Data from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents determining a 52% reduction in fatal and serious injuries.
The Effects of Enhanced Street Lighting on Crime study to give us the 21% reduction on crime figure
Using an approximation provided by Shropshire Council of the amount of streetlights in the UK, and using data from iLamp on the 20 year cost of an enhanced streetlight we apply the enhanced lighting standards formula of providing 1 streetlight per 7 people to achieve a density high enough to deliver on crime and traffic accidents.
Concluded an 82 Billion Pound saving over 20 years is possible by addressing a shortfall of over 3m streetlights in the UK at a cost of just under 1.4 Billion Pounds, or alternatively a return of £59.83 for every £1.00 spent on enhanced street lighting.
Cost Benefit Analysis of Enhanced Street Lighting in the UK
Introduction
This analysis explores the economic impact of enhanced street lighting in the UK, focusing on its potential to reduce crime and road traffic accidents. The study combines data from the UK Home Office on crime costs, UK government statistics on road casualties, and research findings on the effects of enhanced street lighting - B.C. Welsh, D.P. Farrington (2008). The goal is to determine the potential savings that could be achieved by addressing the current shortfall in streetlights across the UK.
Data Sources
- Crime Costs (UK Home Office)
- The UK Home Office provides detailed estimates of the costs associated with different types of crime. These include tangible costs like policing, judicial expenses, and victim support, as well as intangible costs such as emotional and psychological impacts on victims.
- Road Casualties and Costs (UK Government)
- Data on road accidents, including fatalities and serious injuries, is provided by the UK Department for Transport. This includes breakdowns by road type and the associated costs, covering lost output, medical and ambulance services, and human costs.
- Streetlight Density and Costs (Shropshire Council and iLamp)
- Information on the current number of streetlights in the UK and their cost over a 20-year period is sourced from Shropshire Council and iLamp, the only all in one ELS compliant street lighting solution. The enhanced lighting standards formula recommends one streetlight per seven people to optimize crime and traffic accident reductions.
- Effects of Enhanced Street Lighting on Crime and Road Accidents (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and B.C. Welsh, D.P. Farrington (2008) - Effects of Enhanced Street Lighting on Crime)
- This comprehensive research indicates that enhanced street lighting can lead to a 21% reduction in crime and a average 52% reduction in fatal and serious road injuries.
Crime Costs
Traffic Accidents
Total Savings from Crime and Road Accident Reductions
- Annual Crime Reduction Savings: £2,654,750,629
- Annual Road Accident Reduction Savings: £1,543,833,276
- Total Savings: £82,591,463,818 over 20 years
Addressing the Streetlight Shortfall
According to Shropshire Council, there is a shortfall of approximately 3,067,143 streetlights needed to meet the enhanced lighting standards. The cost of installing these additional streetlights, using data from iLamp, is estimated at £1,380,214,285.
Conclusion
The analysis demonstrates that the investment in enhancing street lighting across the UK would yield substantial economic benefits, far exceeding the initial costs, with a cost benefit ratio of 1:59.83, for every pound spent on street lighting more than £59 is saved. By addressing the current shortfall of streetlights, the UK could achieve net savings of over £82 billion over a 20-year period, driven by significant reductions in both crime and road traffic accidents.
These findings support the strategic deployment of enhanced street lighting as a highly cost-effective public safety measure.
