New Lighting Technology
The Public Works Department is initiating a pilot program to test emerging street light technology designed to significantly reduce energy demand and maintenance costs. Public Works crews are replacing existing low-pressure sodium (LPS) street lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lights on street and safety light poles on major streets in the city. The lights are expected to be whiter and brighter. LED fixtures typically last longer, require less maintenance and run more efficiently than traditional lamps. LED street lights are expected to last 20 years, as opposed to traditional sodium lights that have a life expectancy of 3-4 years. The city operates more than 4,400 street lights and spends over $1 million annually to operate and maintain them. A reduction in energy use and longer lasting lamps could greatly reduce existing maintenance costs.