Skip to main content

Siemens launches one-watt traffic signal

Siemens claims to have improved the energy efficiency of traffic lights by more than 85 per cent by using what it calls one-watt technology. The first pilot projects are already running in Bolzano, Italy and Bietigheim-Bissingen near Stuttgart in Southern Germany.
July 1, 2016 Read time: 1 min
Siemens launches one watt traffic signal

189 Siemens claims to have improved the energy efficiency of traffic lights by more than 85 per cent by using what it calls one-watt technology. The first pilot projects are already running in Bolzano, Italy and Bietigheim-Bissingen near Stuttgart in Southern Germany.

According to Siemens, a typical intersection with bulb-based technology and around 55 traffic signals (red, amber and green) can now avoid more than 6,000 kilograms of harmful carbon emissions a year. One-watt technology uses digital LED driver modules, which Siemens says eliminates the need for load resistors and switching elements in the signal light units which consume most of the energy.

Compared with the 60 watts sometimes consumed by incandescent bulbs, the electricity required by individual traffic light signals can be cut to just one or two watts. State-of-the-art LEDs with extremely low power consumption still retain full light intensity, while the one-watt light units also reduce service costs.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • First electric car ferry goes into operation in Norway
    May 19, 2015
    The world’s first electrical car and passenger ferry powered by batteries has entered service in Norway. The unique solution is a result of a competition that Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration launched in 2010. The ferry only uses 150 kWh per route, which corresponds to three days use of electricity in a standard Norwegian household. Built in conjunction with shipbuilder Fjellstrand, Siemens installed the complete electric propulsion system and install
  • Telegra Lightway IQ LED lamps
    February 6, 2012
    The substantial energy saving capability of LED lamps over traditional lighting is now well recognised and Telegra's new Lightway IQ LED lamps are no exception. However, that's only part of the cost savings provided by these devices.
  • Civil engineers find fuel savings where the rubber meets the road
    May 23, 2012
    A new study by civil engineers at MIT shows that using stiffer pavements on America’s roads could reduce vehicle fuel consumption by as much as three per cent, that could add up to 273 million barrels of crude oil per year, or US$15.6 billion at today’s oil prices. This would result in an accompanying annual decrease in CO2 emissions of 46.5 million metric tons.
  • European trends in environmental monitoring and enforcement
    February 2, 2012
    David Crawford surveys European trends in environmental monitoring and enforcement