A six-month installation of LED street lights began in early April in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale has been using red, yellow, and green LED traffic signals since 1997, but has decided to replace 25% of the city’s street lights in neighborhoods and major intersections with LED street lights. The city received funding for the project from The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which gives grants for energy-efficient projects.

The LED traffic signals Scottsdale has been using have already saved them a considerable amount of money in energy costs and maintenance. They realized they can save more by installing LED street lights! The LED street lights will last at least 15 years, and will not need to be maintained by crews during those years. The installation of the LED street lights will help the city save by reducing energy consumption by 42%. The new lighting will also eliminate 853 metric tons of greenhouse emissions. The LED street lights will provide a whiter, crisper, more uniform light for drivers and pedestrians. The lighting will also be focused downward, which will decrease light pollution. Previous fixtures gave off an orange-hue and a good portion of the light escaped upward. We need our lighting pointed where we need it!

We are pleased to hear about Scottsdale’s installation of LED lighting! We hope to see more cities make the switch!