What do you think of street lights? (Lebanon, Oliver: homes, neighborhoods)

[gallacus]

On a recent trip to Tucson, where there are laws against light pollution, I noticed many neighborhoods have no street lights at all. The only lights that were used were some accent lighting to light the sidewalks, similar to what some of the nicer homes do to their own walkways but on a neighborhood-wide scale. It amazed me how beautiful it looked without the ubiquitous orange glow of the sodium lamps.

After I saw that, I couldn't help but wonder what our fascination with street lights is. I understand that in more urban areas they are necessary for safety reasons, but do you really need ugly-ass sodium lights throughout Mt. Lebanon? Take a walk through Virginia Manor at night, and I think you'll see what I mean. They totally detract from the overall feel of the neighborhood.

Not exactly sure why I bring this up, other than to see if others agree or if most people welcome street lights in their neighborhoods. What do you think?

[Aqua Teen Carl]

They're necessary but mildly irritating.

Carrick recently installed new LED street lights (how they got money for that but the sidewalks and streets are in shambles is beyond me) and they look pretty cool. They seem to only shine down onto the street and not in all directions which is nice.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

I really hate light pollution, therefore I hate street lights.

However, my personal solution is to be able to afford a place in the woods somewhere for weekends, and live in the city during the week. I will update my progress in meeting this goal as time goes by, but suffice to say real-world stuff like women, a job, and money will probably not allow this to be a reality until I'm too old to really enjoy it.

[BrianTH]

It is all about design for me. Those ridiculous cobra lights originally designed for highways scream "it is hazardous to be on these streets!" But old-style sidewalk lamps are useful.

[fleetiebelle]

My parents live in a suburban neighborhood without street lights, and I find driving and walking around there at night creepy and unnerving.

[cheezit34141988]

Do what we do in Detroit...shoot em' out.

LED's everywhere is beginning to drive me crazy.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

My parents live in a suburban neighborhood without street lights, and I find driving and walking around there at night creepy and unnerving.

When you become a little longer in the tooth, your eyesight and night vision deteriorates. Your headlamps on your car are simply not enough. The streetlights help a lot. For example, on Route 28, in the construction zone, they took out the streetlamps for a stretch temporarily. It is very difficult to navigate that area at night with it being so dark and narrow with the Jersey barriers. I am so relieved to get back on the stretch with streetlights. Street lights are for safety for pedestrians, yes, but even moreso for drivers.

[captainmidnight]

Good timing with this thread. I am watching two DPW trucks (I assume) going down Grant Street (around Oliver/6th/7th Avenue replacing the lights with LED's, I assume. Of course they are doing it at rush hour reducing Grant Street to one lane, but that is another issue..

[I_Like_Spam]

Street lights, although annoying to some, provide needed safety to pedestrians who can see people with possible bad intent from a distance and hopefully avoid trouble.

In safer suburban type areas, I could see where some people wouldn't want or need them, but in the city they seem to be pretty essential.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by bmantz65

Good timing with this thread. I am watching two DPW trucks (I assume) going down Grant Street (around Oliver/6th/7th Avenue replacing the lights with LED's, I assume. Of course they are doing it at rush hour reducing Grant Street to one lane, but that is another issue..

I am liking the new LED lights as I think they give off a better light and provide better light in rain. I think they were able to get them though a grant where they were able to upgrade all of the city's street lights eventually.