Streetlights in Sedona (Flagstaff: homes, neighborhood, elementary school)

[motuorg]

What's the deal with the proposed streetlights in Sedona. Are they planning on the big boys? (Mercury Vapor et al.)

[GoodbyeCalifornia]

Ah yes, the streetlights that no one wants and aren't needed. They are being billed as a much needed safety feature. Yet between 2001 and today, there have been a total of four pedestrian fatalities on Highway 89A that can be directly linked to poor lighting. While any death is a tragedy, it is not as if people are losing their lives on a regular basis crossing the road here. In the majority of local's minds, the ADOT plan amounts to overkill.

Targeted lighting for specific problem areas as opposed to seventy-six light poles in a row was suggested at one point. However, ADOT stated that the city would likely not be able to obtain funding from the federal government to help implement other safety provisions that were being considered along with the targeted lighting. It was also implied that if the city did not go forward with the package of safety measures that ADOT supported (the seventy-six streetlights included) then ADOT would either just do what it wanted without the city's input, or Sedona could take over responsibility of maintenance and liability for Highway 89A. Since the city can't afford the latter option, four of our outstanding City Council members gave in to the arm twisting and turned their back on the wishes of the people of Sedona.

To the specifics of the lighting, it was stated that they would be "dark sky compliant lights, similar to those in Flagstaff". It is my understanding that the lights in Flag are low sodium vapor. According to advocates of dark sky ordinances, these seem to be the best option available for streetlight and other outdoor applications.

Some may say that given what is going to be installed, it's really not a big deal then. But I have lived in large cities before where you can barely see the stars. Living in Sedona, I have become used to being able to look up and find the Milky Way in the night sky, or watch the subtle color changes of an eclipsing Moon. Maybe these seventy-six streetlights won't have an impact on that at all. I guess we will soon find out.

[motuorg]

Originally Posted by GoodbyeCalifornia

Ah yes, the streetlights that no one wants and aren't needed. They are being billed as a much needed safety feature. Yet between 2001 and today, there have been a total of four pedestrian fatalities on Highway 89A that can be directly linked to poor lighting. While any death is a tragedy, it is not as if people are losing their lives on a regular basis crossing the road here. In the majority of local's minds, the ADOT plan amounts to overkill.

Targeted lighting for specific problem areas as opposed to seventy-six light poles in a row was suggested at one point. However, ADOT stated that the city would likely not be able to obtain funding from the federal government to help implement other safety provisions that were being considered along with the targeted lighting. It was also implied that if the city did not go forward with the package of safety measures that ADOT supported (the seventy-six streetlights included) then ADOT would either just do what it wanted without the city's input, or Sedona could take over responsibility of maintenance and liability for Highway 89A. Since the city can't afford the latter option, four of our outstanding City Council members gave in to the arm twisting and turned their back on the wishes of the people of Sedona.

To the specifics of the lighting, it was stated that they would be "dark sky compliant lights, similar to those in Flagstaff". It is my understanding that the lights in Flag are low sodium vapor. According to advocates of dark sky ordinances, these seem to be the best option available for streetlight and other outdoor applications.

Some may say that given what is going to be installed, it's really not a big deal then. But I have lived in large cities before where you can barely see the stars. Living in Sedona, I have become used to being able to look up and find the Milky Way in the night sky, or watch the subtle color changes of an eclipsing Moon. Maybe these seventy-six streetlights won't have an impact on that at all. I guess we will soon find out.

Thanks for this post Calif. I have been interested in light pollution for years, as I am an amateur astronomer. I live in a neighborhood where there are no streetlights. They built a new elementary school around the block, and installed a wonderful form of lighting using hoods over the light. All the light is directed downward where it is needed. The parking lot is fully lit, but the sky and adjacent homes aren't. I just wonder why these approaches can't be taken. In this way pedestrian safety is satisfied and the sky remains dark. The problem is 76 streetlights today, 176 tomorrow. I have just heard a study stating that 99% of the sky over the contiguous US is light polluted. That leaves 1% for us astronomer types to view a pristine sky. It is a not a form of pollution that kills, so I guess those in power figure why bother.

A little research in this area goes a long way - as the school in my neighborhood responsibly proved. They created a win/win situation.
Sad about Sedona, I always thought they got it right - at least with regard to light.

[SedonaShadow]

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