City Street Lights Being replaced by New LED emitting lights (Baltimore: homes, safety)

[PurpleHaze1100]

The City has started to replace its 80,000 conventional street lights with New LED emitting lights. Is this a safety concern to pedestrians? LED lights do not shine as bright as the original sodium ones.

[LionLady]

Not sure where you got your information, but LEDs are just as bright as Sodium or other conventional street lights.

In fact, LEDs are now being used as off-road and high beam lights on cars and motorcycles because they provide as much light, using a far smaller power draw.

[Zea mays]

Originally Posted by LionLady

Not sure where you got your information, but LEDs are just as bright as Sodium or other conventional street lights.

That depends upon the LED. Some are brighter, some not.

Originally Posted by LionLady

In fact, LEDs are now being used as off-road and high beam lights on cars and motorcycles because they provide as much light, using a far smaller power draw.

Presently, in automobiles, LCDs are brighter than halogen incandescents, but not as bright as metallic halide (HID) headlights.
LCDs do have a lower "draw." Also, they produce a wide spectrum, and thus give good color rendition at night.

LCD street lighting is the future; good to see Balto. going in the right direction.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by bmoreboy25

The City has started to replace its 80,000 conventional street lights with New LED emitting lights. Is this a safety concern to pedestrians? LED lights do not shine as bright as the original sodium ones.

I have not heard this was going down, but, LED lights last a heck of a lot longer than standard bulbs. LED bulbs have an expected life expectancy of around 6 years of continuous use. A standard bulb has a life expectancy of roughly 8 weeks at continuous use.

It is a financial concern, not one of safety.

[PurpleHaze1100]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I have not heard this was going down, but, LED lights last a heck of a lot longer than standard bulbs. LED bulbs have an expected life expectancy of around 6 years of continuous use. A standard bulb has a life expectancy of roughly 8 weeks at continuous use.

It is a financial concern, not one of safety.

I said it was a safety concern because the sodium bulbs had light spilling out into the sidewalks and corners. It really brightened up the streets. With these new LED lights which are pretty cheap ones compared to others I've seen only give concentrated brightness to the street only therefore having darkness on the sidewalks which can be a safety concern to pedestrians. More muggings, robberys, etc.

Heres an article
https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/0...-streetlights/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/201...ight-pollution

[picardlx]

Baltimore already has enough dark places for muggers to hide; these new lights will only increase the number. Why can't we replace each conventional bulb with two of the new LEDs at say each point 30 degrees from lateral? We'd still realize some energy savings while not compromise safety. There are already a few LEDs in Northern Baltimore interspersed with the conventional and it's so obvious the level of lighting is lower and less safe.

[PurpleHaze1100]

Originally Posted by picardlx

Baltimore already has enough dark places for muggers to hide; these new lights will only increase the number. Why can't we replace each conventional bulb with two of the new LEDs at say each point 30 degrees from lateral? We'd still realize some energy savings while not compromise safety. There are already a few LEDs in Northern Baltimore interspersed with the conventional and it's so obvious the level of lighting is lower and less safe.

Exactly my point. The lights are creating way more dark spots on the roads and sidewalks than the sodium lights did. They might be brighter but they sure aren't shining in the right places. The other day I was driving Eastbound on Northern Parkway and the LED lights were installed on the portion from Liberty Heights to Wabash Avenue. I could barely see nor recognize the street. I could barely see the white lines on the street. As soon as I crossed Wabash the sodium ones were in place and it was a relief. So bright and welcoming with the yellow glow. I could see everything. I HATE the LED's!! Its probably a nightmare for those driving in the neglected parts of town where there installed like some parts of West. Dark as hell with hardly any light shining, plus the abundance of abandoned homes and loiterers, & at night on top of that!!.

[davecj]

Light emitting diode emitting lights