The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) hosts the latest version of PR 402.
The manual was established to address several core needs within the Emirate’s rapidly developing urban landscape:
Even with the free manual in hand, designers make critical errors. Ensure you avoid these pitfalls:
The PR 402 Abu Dhabi Lighting Manual is the backbone of the Emirate’s night-time visual identity. It balances functional safety with environmental stewardship. Because the government provides it for free via official portals, professionals are expected to utilize the official document to ensure their projects meet the world-class standards set by the Abu Dhabi government.
The manual focuses on ensuring visibility and safety for motorists and pedestrians through specific lighting classes. Lighting Classes:
M2: Adopted for specific urban routes requiring high visibility, with luminance levels of 1.3 cd/m² to 1.5 cd/m² (approx. 20–25 lux).
M4: Used for general traffic routes, requiring 1.0 cd/m² (approx. 15 lux). Uniformity & Glare: Highways with speeds ≥is greater than or equal to 100 kph must maintain a uniformity ratio ( Uocap U sub o ≥is greater than or equal to 0.4 and a longitudinal uniformity ( Ulcap U sub l ≥is greater than or equal to
Conflict Areas: Junctions and crosswalks typically require higher illumination, often reaching 30 lux. 2. Luminaire Specifications
PR-402 mandates the use of energy-efficient LED technology for all new and retrofit projects.
Color Temperature (CCT): Roadway lighting is restricted to 2700K, 3000K, and 4000K. Under the Abu Dhabi Dark Sky Policy, street lighting should generally not exceed 4000K to minimize light pollution. pr 402 abu dhabi lighting manual free
Protection Ratings: Luminaires must adhere to high Ingress Protection (IP) and Impact Protection (IK) ratings to withstand local environmental conditions.
Tilt & Mounting: The maximum luminaire tilt angle is capped at 5 degrees from the horizontal, with a maximum bracket arm length of 1.5m. 3. Infrastructure & Pole Requirements
The manual provides strict guidance on the physical installation of lighting assets.
Pole Placement: For highways and major arterials, 20m pole heights with a spacing of 80–95m in a median arrangement are standard.
Foundations: Lighting poles must be designed for wind velocities of 160 km/h with a gust factor of 1.14.
Clearance: A minimum clear area of 1000mm must be maintained on either side of the pole center, finished with hardscape or gravel. 4. Verification & Documentation
Compliance is verified through field testing and formal submissions.
Field Performance Tests: Contractors must conduct illuminance measurements immediately after system energization to ensure designed levels are achieved.
Calculations: Designers must account for Lamp Lumen Depreciation (LLD) and Luminaire Dirt Depreciation (LDD) in their "Day-1" calculation outputs. Resources for Full Manual Access The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) hosts
While official government portals like the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) host standard guidelines, PR-402 is often accessed through professional repositories:
Scribd: Versions of the manual, including section-specific extracts for tunnels and underpasses, are frequently uploaded by industry professionals.
Google Drive: Community-shared copies can sometimes be found via educational links.
The PR-402 (Lighting Design Manual) is the primary technical standard for roadway and public area lighting in Abu Dhabi. Version 3.0, released in July 2021, is the most current edition and takes precedence over older design manuals for all urban street and network projects in the Emirate. How to Access the Manual
While the manual is a government document issued by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), it is often accessed through the following platforms:
Scribd: Full versions of the PR-402 Lighting Design Manual (72 pages) and specific sections like Tunnel & Underpass Lighting are available for viewing and download.
Google Drive/Docs: Unofficial copies are frequently shared within the engineering community via Google Drive links.
DMT E-Library: Official standard drawings and related guidelines can sometimes be found directly on the Department of Municipalities and Transport E-Library. Key Technical Standards in PR-402
The manual outlines strict requirements for lighting levels, pole specifications, and energy efficiency: Lighting Classes: Defines specific luminance ( ) and illuminance (lux) levels for different road types. Highways/Freeways: 1.0 (30 lux for conflict areas). Major Arterials: 1.0 (30 lux for crosswalks). Even with the free manual in hand, designers
LED Specifications: Mandates LED luminaires with a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 2700K, 3000K, or 4000K for roadway and parking projects.
Hardware: Sets a maximum bracket arm length of 1.5m and a maximum luminaire tilt angle of 5 degrees.
Dark Sky Compliance: Integrates with Abu Dhabi's Dark Sky Policy to limit light pollution, requiring specific curfews (e.g., turning off certain facade lights at 12:00 AM). Related Documents PR-402 2021-579 | PDF - Scribd
The PR-402 Lighting Design Manual is the official regulatory document for public realm and roadway lighting in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Primarily used by engineers, consultants, and developers, it outlines mandatory standards for safety, efficiency, and aesthetics in urban streetscapes. Core Objectives of PR-402
Public Safety: Enhancing visibility for motorists and pedestrians to reduce accidents during hours of darkness.
Energy Efficiency: Mandating the use of advanced LED technologies and sustainable lighting controls to minimize power consumption.
Environmental Protection: Reducing light pollution and "sky glow" through strict adherence to the Abu Dhabi Dark Sky Policy. Technical Specifications & Requirements
The manual, particularly Version 3.0 (July 2021), details specific technical benchmarks for various lighting applications: PR-402 (Lighting Design Manual) | PDF - Scribd
For engineers and developers, strict adherence to the PR 402 manual is non-negotiable.