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Environmental concerns motivate some people to take action, but saving money seems to appeal to almost everyone. Smart ways to light streets while saving on operating costs combines two strong motivating factors that recommend the use of LED street lighting.

The Clean Revolution at reveals results of a study of the advantages of LED street lighting over traditional methods. A partnership of business leaders, governments, corporations and thinkers around the world, the Clean Revolution calls for a massive increase in the use of clean energy.

The Clean Revolution group is coordinated by The Climate Group an independent and not-for-profit organization that promotes leadership in developing a low carbon future. Study results show significant benefits of using LED for street lighting:

• Increases in the level of safety experienced by residents of 12 pilot cities

• Improved visibility

• Reduction of greenhouse emissions by 670 million tons each year

Halogen in Popular Use

The merits of using LED street lights seem to outweigh those of using halogen. Aside from having a relatively higher cost for initial installation, LED has many advantages. The higher price of the initial investment is quickly balanced by the difference in hours of use. Metal halide lights have a lifetime of 10,000-15,000 hours, and LED lights have 50,000-100,000 hours, according to industry studies.

Halogen lights served as the preferred choice for parking lots and warehouses as well as for illuminating roadways for many years. Hospitals, office buildings and schools used them to provide a very bright, white light. They run at high temperatures, as anyone who has used one as a reading light or on a desk can confirm, and they run under high pressure as well. Until recent advancements in technology made the use of LED street lights more available, halide lamps were the dominant means of illumination on the roadways.

Directional Values of LED Street Lights

Motorists benefit from having light directed at the street, and LED lights are capable of doing so. Lighting the sky is not helpful. As a result of achieving effective directional lighting, less illumination is required. Excessive lighting has a negative impact on nocturnal animals and the avian population. Other advantages include these:

• Longer life that requires less frequent need for replacement

• Lower labour costs for changing bulbs

Superior Operating Characteristics

LED lights function well at temperatures that are lower than those required by halogen, and they are not affected by power interruptions. Halogen lights require a recovery period, a condition that does not apply to LED lights. Intelligent systems can control them, providing a way to turn them off and on instantly. Energy saving methods of switching off during low traffic periods or at dusk and dawn has no effect on the lifetime of LED street lights. Their resistance to negative effects from vibration and shocks makes them appropriate for use around bridges.

Compliance with Dark Skies Initiative

Light pollution results from excessive lighting, a condition that is avoided with the use of LED lights. Adverse effects of lighting may include glare, sky glow, energy waste and light trespass among others. The MacDonald Observatory site contends that light pollution is responsible for these negative outcomes:

• Waste of energy

• Disruption of wildlife

• Ecological imbalances

• Consequences affecting human health

Low Impact on the Environment

LED lights contain no harmful substances like lead, hazardous gasses or mercury. When LED lights reach the end of usefulness, they require no special handling for disposal. As recyclable products, they are environmentally friendly. Many factors recommend the increased use of LED street lights.

This content piece was written by G&S Industries, street lighting poles supplier based in Perth, Western Australia.

About the author
Andreas co-founded Xavier Media® in 1996 and has since been involved in all kinds of development, marketing and making money online.