By 1808Delaware
This summer, the City of Powell completed a significant upgrade to the streetlighting system in the Olentangy Ridge subdivision. As part of an ongoing effort to enhance public infrastructure, city crews replaced 66 streetlights, repainted the light poles, and installed over 1,500 feet of new wiring. Each of these lights was upgraded to high-efficiency LED bulbs, a move aimed at providing more focused illumination toward the road, reducing energy costs, and significantly extending the lifespan of the streetlights.
Grant Crawford, Powell’s Public Service Director, noted that the transition to this new style of lighting began in 2023 as part of the city’s standard maintenance initiatives. “We focus on subdivisions where the lights have yellowed, aged, and are no longer performing according to Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards,” Crawford explained.
This project in Olentangy Ridge is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the City of Powell to assess and update neighborhood lighting. Each year, the city identifies neighborhoods, corridors, and specific groupings of lights in need of maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency across the community.
Benefits of LED Lighting for Cities
The switch to LED streetlights in Powell is not only about maintaining standards but also about reaping the numerous benefits that LED technology offers:
- Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: LED street lights consume significantly less energy compared to traditional lighting systems, resulting in substantial cost savings. Cities can reduce energy use by up to 50% with LED lighting, leading to lower utility bills and maintenance costs.
- Environmental Impact: LED lighting reduces carbon emissions, contributing to a greener and more sustainable city. For example, the City of Los Angeles achieved a 64% energy savings and reduced carbon emissions by 67,000 metric tons annually through its LED conversion program.
- Improved Safety and Visibility: LED lights offer better illumination quality, enhancing road safety for both drivers and pedestrians. They provide even light distribution and minimize glare, which is crucial for visibility and comfort.
- Smart City Integration: LED streetlights can be integrated with smart city technologies, allowing for remote monitoring and management. This includes adjusting brightness levels and quickly responding to outages, which enhances citizen satisfaction and safety. Additionally, smart streetlights can serve as infrastructure for IoT devices, supporting services like Wi-Fi and surveillance.
- Longer Lifespan and Reduced Maintenance: LEDs have a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting, reducing the frequency of replacements and maintenance efforts. This longevity further contributes to cost savings and operational efficiency.
With these benefits, the City of Powell’s investment in LED lighting is a step forward in creating a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective urban environment for its residents.
Image by Photocurry from Pixabay
