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Q&A

Thomas-Henry questions DOT on standard vs distinctive lighting criteria

New York City Council · Jun 25, 2026 · starts 0:20:43 · 1 min 39 sec

Thomas-Henry asks what criteria DOT uses to decide between standard and distinctive lighting upgrades. Dean explains distinctive lighting is typically funded through elected official allocations while standard lighting uses normal city funding, and that lighting under elevated trains is addressed on a complaint-driven basis.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Okay.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Thank you, Chair.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

So first, I'll start with Intro 845.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

What are DOT's current practices for improving street lighting?

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Or more specifically, what criteria do you use to decide if a particular corridor will get standard versus distinctive lighting upgrades?

Monty Dean

Distinctive lighting typically comes when we get funded through reso or multimodal funding from an elected official,

Monty Dean

and that is what is used to purchase and install the distinctive types of lighting, whereas our standard lighting is funded through the normal city funded process.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

And what are your current practices regarding lighting conditions on streets?

Shanel Thomas-Henry

streets and sidewalks located underneath elevated subway lines?

Monty Dean

When we get a request or a complaint, we will go and evaluate conditions at that area, and we'll do data collection, we'll do an assessment of the lighting levels, and then if we determine that there is

Monty Dean

additional lighting necessary.

Monty Dean

We will evaluate what the right approach is, whether it means adding arms onto existing poles or whether we need to install new poles to achieve the right lighting level.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

So currently it's not a practice to elevate the lighting levels under elevated subways.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

It's only

Shanel Thomas-Henry

on an as complaint basis?

Monty Dean

It's mostly driven by when we get requests or complaints about conditions there.

Shanel Thomas-Henry

Okay.