Use of LED for road lighting

12 LED suppliers were invited to provide their best solution for a given geometry of road. After a theoretical evaluation of lighting calculations, the best three were chosen. The selected luminaires were tested according to information given from the suppliers and relevant standards, and guidelines, concerning electrical and lighting performances both in laboratory and in field. The study shows divergence between rated values and measured values of both electrical and photometric parameters. Especially poor electrical performances during dimming were found. The paper also discusses and compares the luminance yield of LED with the traditional installation of high pressure sodium lamps with electronic ballast.