The Illinois Department of Transport (IDOT) has launched a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge interest and further understand how private sector companies and other interested parties would partner and collaborate on maintenance and upgrades to highway lighting assets throughout the state, which is located in the Midwestern region of the USA.

The authority is considering contracting a private partner to design, build, operate, maintain and finance current and future IDOT-owned lighting assets. Current assets consist of approximately 57,500 bulbs (primarily High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) and Low-Pressure Sodium (LPS)) on approximately 30,500 poles and mounts (conventional, high-mast, and tunnel/ underpass) statewide.

IDOT is also exploring smart technology components that could be implemented as part of lighting system upgrades with the goal of leveraging the network of lighting infrastructure and IDOT’s right-of-way as a potential conduit to implement smart technologies and collect, share and disseminate data.

The deadline to respond to the RFI is 21 September 2018.