Moscow switches streetlights and architectural lighting to winter schedule

Moscow has switched its streetlights and architectural lighting to a winter schedule, turning them on earlier and off later, Deputy Mayor Pyotr Biryukov said on October 16.

The change reflects shorter daylight hours. Biryukov said a daily timetable had been prepared for switching outdoor and architectural lighting on and off.

Controllers at the United Energy Company's network management centre consider both the timetable and actual light levels. Sensors monitor illumination in real time and send a signal when it reaches a specified threshold.

Controllers can depart from the schedule to turn lights on earlier when weather conditions worsen. Biryukov cited snow, heavy rain and overcast conditions.

Architectural lighting comes on at the same time as streetlights but follows a separate shutdown timetable. Residential buildings stop being illuminated at 11 p.m. and administrative buildings at midnight.

Metro entrance lighting is switched off at 1 a.m. and lighting on bridges in central Moscow at 3 a.m.