Vancouver customers may have noticed recently that some of the streetlights in the city cast a different sort of light. That’s because the old, yellow lights are being replaced with LEDs, which, according to Rhys Williams, are brighter and clearer than the old streetlight bulbs.
Williams manages the streets and electrical design for the City of Vancouver, and in a phone conversation he explained that his department has been monitoring the price of LED technology for years. In that time, Williams’s department has been testing different light technologies to find the best solution. “We’re now comfortable enough with the technology,” he said, “to start adopting it for day-to-day replacements of streetlights.”
Vancouver is taking a two-pronged approach, said Williams. Lights are now being replaced on an as-needed basis while a report on a large-scale replacement plan for the entire city is prepared for council.
Benefits of LED streetlights
Quality of the light aside, LED lights are, Williams said, 40 per cent more efficient. LEDs are also expected to last much longer.
LED lights also allow for the use of what’s called “adaptive technology”, said Williams. “That allows us to dim lights or program them for specific use. It also lets our operation staff know when they’re out.” Right now, the City relies on citizens and night work crews to locate streetlights that aren’t functioning.
The light that comes from LEDs is also more directional, which reduces the amount of light pollution created by the streetlights. Williams said that reducing light pollution — which refers to excessive and unnecessary light — is a bonus of the switch to LED.
