LED Street lights

[Lancashire Lad]

LED lighting is certainly one of the better of the currently available options in terms of lumen output per watt. - It has a lot going for it and there doesn't appear to be any downside. (I haven't looked into such things as high frequency flicker and whether that might restrict some potential uses).

There is still some way to go with research & development before we will see it replacing street lighting and general industrial/domestic lighting requirements, cost being not the least of the problems, but I'm convinced that it will see much more use in the near future. (The newer generation of traffic lights, commercial display lighting, and domestic mood lighting applications are already large users of this technology).

Paul - I don't know all the in's and out's of motorway lighting design, but I am aware that lighting levels are increased at/near to junctions and places where the potential for accident might be higher (fly-overs, bridges etc. etc.) - and that many councils are now switching off much of the general carriageway lighting in order to save money in the current economic cimate.

Regards,
Mike.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by catface1

I think a great idea would be to encourage organisations to place solar panels on flat commercial roofs, in city centers and on large factories and warehouses. I can think of many examples of warehouses in my city that are in industrial areas that as in any city have large ugly roofs that can be put to good use.

in actual fact the ideal position for a solar panel is on a pitched roof that faces to the south - a flat roof is one of the worst places you can put them.

and most warehouse and industrial unit roofs dont have a suitable aspect

incidentally am I alone in thinking that our old freind 'animartco' is back with a new username

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Tens of thousands of jobs? This means at least 20,000 permanent jobs.

I'd like to se this.

each paying at minimum about £12k per year (min wage) , thats £240,000,000 per annum plus the cost of the streetlight hardware, plus the cost of disposing of the originals, plus the issue of lost revenue caused by the disruption the work will cause ... an interesting definition of 'cost effective'

....and anyone who thinks that the government has that kind of cash must have been living down a hole for the last year anyway

[tcvarlh]

Brum's city fathers have made a few tests with LEDs and they seem rather effective. However, most of the test sites are side streets or garaging areas where such lights are not particularly needed. I suppose ripping up the 'old' (installed two-three years ago) lamps and replacing them with bright shiny LEDs on the main roads was a cost/effectiveness exercise that failed their criteria. I wish they would appear in this area and banish the candle-like sodium glow 'illuminating' the local passage- and walkways. Whatever, my mate can now park up 'round the back' in brilliantly wonderful white light. Of course, he can't sleep any more due to the actinic glare thru' his bedroom window. He reckons the "bl___y lights are bleaching his curtains and boiling the vitreous humour in his eyes". But some folk are never satisfied!
h

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by eeyore

a flat roof is one of the worst places you can put them.

and most warehouse and industrial unit roofs dont have a suitable aspect

Not sure about that Pete. Sure, the panels themselves need to be pitched facing south but you can do that fairly eaily on almost any flat roof. Whereas my pitched roof that faces east/west is pretty hopeless.

Originally Posted by eeyore

incidentally am I alone in thinking that our old freind 'animartco' is back with a new username

Already checked that - doesn't look like it!

Dave P.

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, I'm bemused.
[See the separate threadlet], I think there is far too much illumination on trunk roads/motorways but also on ordinary streets and we would benefit financially and environmentally by cutting it. Indeed, I think many local auhorities have started doing this but, as ever, on a rather haphazard basis. However, I'd take issue with you on cutting off the backstreet/walkway lighting - this is a major concern to pedestrians and is a minor cost (financially or environmentally) compared to major road lighting for motorists.
I think there might be a lot to be said for on-off switches for street lighting. In my youth all local road lighting went off at midnight, why is it on all night now?
PS: how do you get 'actinic glares', our road lighting is now a very dull read, making it impossible to read an AZ!

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

Brum's city fathers have made a few tests with LEDs and they seem rather effective. However, most of the test sites are side streets or garaging areas where such lights are not particularly needed. I suppose ripping up the 'old' (installed two-three years ago) lamps and replacing them with bright shiny LEDs on the main roads was a cost/effectiveness exercise that failed their criteria. I wish they would appear in this area and banish the candle-like sodium glow 'illuminating' the local passage- and walkways. Whatever, my mate can now park up 'round the back' in brilliantly wonderful white light. Of course, he can't sleep any more due to the actinic glare thru' his bedroom window. He reckons the "bl___y lights are bleaching his curtains and boiling the vitreous humour in his eyes". But some folk are never satisfied!
h

[Morchella]

Not sure if I'm allowed to post such weblinks but these are around LIII International Industries | Products

Haven't used one yet but have specified the little solar ground lights for schools - great fun for the kids when they realise you can trigger the light sensor by covering part of it with your feet.

Suspect the street lamps are already being used reasonably widely in Germany.

Laura

[tcvarlh]

I think you may have misunderstood me Paul, I do not wish to see walk- passageway lighting cut, indeed, as I do not drive that would be a foolishness, but supplanted by perkier more efficient lighting creating a safer and less ominous atmosphere hereabouts. During the brumal months this neighbourhood has a dismal and sullen presence made weightier by the apparently twenty watts sodium lighting accomplishing a Victorian London charm. One could easily imagine Spring-Heeled-Jack loitering in the umbrae betwixt the flickering lanterns, many of which activate at incorrect times, wasting energy during diurnal hours and remaining dark when truly needed.
“Actinic glare” is the description used by my friend brought about by the new LED lamps located in the garaging area to the rear of his home 'blazing' thru' his bedroom window.
As I said, some are never satisfied.
h

[catface1]

Originally Posted by eeyore

in actual fact the ideal position for a solar panel is on a pitched roof that faces to the south - a flat roof is one of the worst places you can put them.

and most warehouse and industrial unit roofs dont have a suitable aspect

incidentally am I alone in thinking that our old freind 'animartco' is back with a new username

I am a new user lol. I know, I am aware of the fact that the panels themselves cannot be placed flat. My point was that flat commercial roofs tend to have walls or barriers around their perimeter therefor if panels were placed on them they would be mostly out of sight. (MOSTLY)

[catface1]

Originally Posted by eeyore

each paying at minimum about £12k per year (min wage) , thats £240,000,000 per annum plus the cost of the streetlight hardware, plus the cost of disposing of the originals, plus the issue of lost revenue caused by the disruption the work will cause ... an interesting definition of 'cost effective'

....and anyone who thinks that the government has that kind of cash must have been living down a hole for the last year anyway

The point is to create the industry within our own nation. All manufacturing etc to be sourced from the UK. Secondly as mentioned, the lights have a much longer product life (maintenance). They will not be connected to the national grid, no underground cabling (maintenance). People have suggested what if they fail or do not work...well these same people are suggesting things like turning off every other street light to save money. Also since when have any of the current lights never faulted. What happens when their is a power cut etc etc.

Again as mentioned these lights pay for themselves what they cost in savings inside 5 years. How long should we wait until we have enough money to do these things? The whole point in them is to save money and power usage.

If the lights are manufactured in the UK, by UK companies then no money will effectively leave our economy.