WSDOT installs LED lights on Highway 101

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has replaced the old high-pressure-sodium (HPS) lighting system along Highway 101 with the state’s first light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting system. “This is the first time we’ve used LED lights on a state highways and for most drivers, it will be quite a change,” said John Nisbet, WSDOT state traffic engineer. “LED lights appear whiter and brighter than our standard lights. And those who travel the area late at night will see some lights dimmed or shut
March 1, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
451 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has replaced the old high-pressure-sodium (HPS) lighting system along Highway 101 with the state’s first light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting system.

“This is the first time we’ve used LED lights on a state highways and for most drivers, it will be quite a change,” said John Nisbet, WSDOT state traffic engineer. “LED lights appear whiter and brighter than our standard lights. And those who travel the area late at night will see some lights dimmed or shut off completely.”

Nisbet said the LED system uses new, state-of-the-art technology known as an “adaptive system.” This will allow WSDOT crews to remotely adjust the light levels and turn individual light poles off when traffic levels are low. These adaptive features have the potential to decrease costs and provide environmental benefits while maintaining adequate lighting levels.

WSDOT expects the LED system to last 15 years and the technology with dimming controls will reduce energy usage to the 88 light poles by 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and save more than US$75,000 in maintenance and operating costs, when compared to an HPS system.

“Over the next 22 months, we will look at how the lights function and analyze the cost savings at this location,” Nisbet said. “That information will help us build a plan for more LED lights across the state. We have close to 60,000 lights on the state highway system and more LEDs could translate into significant energy and cost savings.”

Related Content

  • October 5, 2012
    Norwegian study finds electric cars 'pose environmental threat'
    According to a study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, electric cars might pollute much more than petrol or diesel-powered cars. Researchers found greenhouse gas emissions rose dramatically if coal was used to produce the electricity. Electric car factories also emitted more toxic waste than conventional car factories, claims their report in the Journal of Industrial Energy. However, in some cases electric cars still made sense, the researchers said.
    Read More
  • October 9, 2015
    Siemens completes installation of new LED streetlights for US town
    Siemens has recently completed installation of more than 550 LED streetlights and floodlights in the Town of Hamilton, Massachusetts, on behalf of Metropolitan Area Planning Council, (MAPC). The full project installation is expected to result in at least US$25,000 in annual energy and maintenance savings for the town, reduce energy usage by 60 per cent compared to existing streetlights, and provide citizens with clearer lighting conditions to improve visibility and safety. The project is also expected t
    Read More
  • January 27, 2012
    Integrate systems to reduce roadside infrastructure
    David Crawford reviews promising current developments. Instrumentation of the road infrastructure has grown to become one of the most dynamic sectors of the ITS industry. Drivers for its deployment include global concerns over the commercial and environmental pressures of traffic congestion, the importance of keeping drivers informed throughout their journeys, and the need to reduce accident rates and promote the safety of all road users, for example by enforcing traffic safety rules.
    Read More
  • March 16, 2015
    Report analyses multiple ITS projects to highlight cost and benefits
    Every year in America cost benefit analysis is carried out on dozens of ITS installations and pilot studies and the findings, along with the lessons learned, are entered into the Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) web-based ITS Knowledge Resources database. This database holds more than 1,600 reports and periodically the USDOT reviews the material on file to draw conclusions from this wider body of evidence. It has just published one such review ITS Benefits, Costs, and Lessons Learned: 2014 Update Re
    Read More

Highlighted Content