How can a road stay lit at night while confusing insects less?

Answer: Shield the lamps so light reaches the road rather than nearby habitat

Paint the lamp poles black without changing the fixtures — Black paint on a pole does not stop the lamp from emitting light sideways. It may reduce reflections from the pole, but it does not hide the bright source from nearby insects. Shielding and directing the beam address that problem.

Shield the lamps so light reaches the road rather than nearby habitat ✓ — Shielding keeps useful light on the road while making the bright source less visible from neighboring habitat. Tailored and shielded fixtures have attracted fewer insects than conventional lamps at comparable ground illumination. Reducing spill light can therefore protect nearby habitat without making the road dark.

Raise the lamps without changing where their light goes — Height alone does not keep unwanted light out of nearby habitat. A higher unshielded lamp can still be visible from far away and send light beyond the road. The important control is where the light goes, not simply how high the pole stands.