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It's about time! A new hope has appeared for better lighting (or lack of it) with LED streetlights that can be controlled very precisely by computers. It is now possible to control luminaires over the entire community or just one section, if so desired. Luminaires should be full-cutoff, LEDs with <3000 K bulbs.

This means that residential areas can be isolated and waste light eliminated or reduced to a minimum in those areas where people are trying to sleep. The control goes beyond that. Luminaires can now be set to go on at a specific time then shut off at a specific time. Also, they can be varied in intensity over a period in an evening. This means that they can be full on at dusk but then be turned off after a certain time or dimmed to a small percentage of their usual output.

They may be programmed to hold at this level for a certain period then go off. They may also react to sensors that detect pedestrians or vehicles moving through an area. They then will turn on, alerting residents to anyone in the neighborhood as well.

Lights could be off from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.! Think of the savings and think of the light waste, trespass and pollution eliminated! As far as LEC's are concerned, this speaks volumes in our work to improve lighting. It is now possible to reduce the amount of lighting and electricity used up to 66% while still providing light when and where it is needed.

Check below to learn more about the "10 to 6" LWRP.

Current Street Lighting:

In most communities, the lighting situation, over a period of a year, sees street lights that are lit, on average, 12 hours per day. There are no savings in lighting, power or electricity costs. The lights are either on maximum or off completely.

This is a tremendous waste as, later in the evening, there is virtually no traffic or pedestrians out on the streets. Also, any traffic is using their headlights which they must do by law.

Since most people are trying to sleep after 10 p.m., streetlights continue to be a source of aggrivation and are detrimental to sleep. Unshielded streetlgihts, especially those that have a colour temperature of 3000 Kelvin and above, are particularly a problem. Blue light in these LEDs may prevent the creation of melatonin in the body leading to serius, negative health effects for humans, flora, fauna and the night environment.

Remember, lighting up an area tends to draw and foster crimiinal activities. (See link below.)

Refer to the links below for additional information related to the "10 to 6 LWRP" concept.

10 to 6 Light-Reduction Program:

The yellow area in the graph above shows the possible savings ( at least 66%) in lighting, electrical power and finances during the course of one year in a 10 to 6 LWRP. Before and after the 10 to 6 hours the streetlights may be only be lit at ~33% (or lower) of the usual power and may thus contribute to greater savings for the community while still providing safety.

Before 10 p.m. and after 6 a.m., the streetlights may be kept at regular levels, lowered to a very low level or they may be turned off altogether. There are a wide variety of combinations. The important point is that between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the streetlights are turned off, especially in residential areas. In other areas, such as industrial, they may be reduced to 30% or more during the whole night. The right combinations must be calculated to meet 10 to 6 LWRP standards while maximizing safety and savings.

With sensors, anyone may turn streetlights on and off as they are needed by traffic or pedestrians. Remember, human vision adapts quickly to darkness but is dramatically reduced by glare from streetlights and on-coming vehicles using headlights.