Solution
Smart Light Poles
Next-generation light poles will enable the city to enhance safety, streamline compliance, and improve infrastructure maintenance and urban planning.
Smart Light Poles
Click on the markers on the map to see the different functionalities
“Living Room” (near arena)
LiDAR and video monitors crowd and detects unusual behavior or presence of weapons
Traffic signal preemption
Allows for fast emergency response
Abandoned object detection
LiDAR on pole detects potential suspicious objects for investigation
Licensed plate readers
Pole sensors can identify suspect vehicles to improve law enforcement response
Opportunity
Transforming public safety with technology
The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) is installing fiber-optic infrastructure to expand its street light network and promote digital equity, with many miles completed and more underway. In partnership with Cisco, BSL is piloting innovative light poles near the Crypto.com Arena featuring advanced sensors and enhanced connectivity. This effort lays the foundation for a citywide smart network to improve urban management and quality of life in Los Angeles.
Pilot program
To demonstrate the real-world operation and benefits of a smart pole infrastructure, BLS is conducting a pilot program that will install or retrofit a network of poles in selected downtown Los Angeles neighborhoods (adjacent to Crypto.com arena).
-
Currently in planning and design, including initial feasibility/planning sessions with LAPD and other agencies
-
Targeting [approx. launch date]
-
Other specifics we want to mention?
Supporting LA’s strategic plan
The Smart Light Pole initiative aligns with the strategic vision of the Los Angeles City Priorities by:
-
Implementing proactive measures to decrease crime and enhance neighborhood safety
-
Reducing environmental impact, fostering innovation, and promoting equitable solutions that support long-term climate resilience and community well-being
-
Expanding Smart City infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency, innovation, and connectivity
-
Bridging the Digital Divide by ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure
Next steps
Selected city agencies—including the LAPD, LAFD, and LADOT—are encouraged to collaborate with BSL and Cisco to determine how next-gen light pole technology can increase public safety and improve the quality of life of residents.
Click here for more information
Smart poles in action
Boosting safety and compliance
Next-generation light poles embedded with high-definition cameras and sensors can help agencies document roadway and public safety incidents more effectively, supporting real-time monitoring and timely response to safety concerns. The technology enables efficient data collection during traffic incidents, public disturbances, and other safety events. Authorities can now respond faster and more effectively in these situations, supporting the city’s strategic objective of improving public safety and compliance across the city.
Improving infrastructure maintenance
Proactive monitoring of city infrastructure is a critical advantage of smart light poles. By continuously scanning the urban environment, sensors embedded in the poles can detect potholes, graffiti, and other street damage, giving maintenance teams a heads up on necessary repairs. Early detection of emerging infrastructure problems helps minimize disruption to city services and enhance the quality of life for residents. Agencies can implement predictive maintenance strategies that reduce costs by allowing city planners to address issues before they escalate—all of which aligns with the city’s goal of optimizing resource allocation and improving service delivery.
Smarter urban planning
Equipping light poles with smart technology can improve urban planning by facilitating the collection and analysis of environmental data. For example, sensors can track the movement of garbage trucks, providing valuable insights into waste management practices and helping optimize collection schedules. Data-driven approach like this can help city planners make informed decisions about resource allocation to drive smarter urban development, foster sustainable growth, and deliver more efficient services.
Digital equity
The Bureau of Street Lighting in Los Angeles can play a pivotal role in advancing the city's mayoral initiative to improve digital equity by leveraging smart city technologies. By integrating Cisco’s advanced networking solutions with the city’s streetlight infrastructure, they can expand access to high-speed internet in underserved neighborhoods. This collaboration could also support the deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots and IoT-enabled services, creating opportunities for education, telehealth, and economic participation. Together, these efforts can bridge the digital divide and ensure all residents have equitable access to the tools and resources necessary for success in a digital age.
360
PANORAMA
VIEWER
Next-Generation Light Pole Initiative
Lighting the Way with Technology
Powered
