HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2016-02-18 - Item 3 - LED Street Lighting Conversion
Date:February 3, 2016
To:Environmental Committee
From:Barry Cronkite, Transportation Planning Project Manager
cc:Dianna Saunderson
Subject:LED street light Replacement Program
As part of a Region wide initiative, The City of Kitchener is considering the replacement of its
street light network. It is proposed that the current high pressure sodium fixtures (HPS) be
replaced with a more efficient light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The replacement program
should result in a reduction in approximately 6,000,000 KWH in electricity consumption and over
450 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
It is anticipated that a report will be tabled for discussion at the Infrastructure Services
Committee meeting on March 7, 2016. Prior to the report being presented to Committee and
Council, staff are seeking endorsement from the Environmental Committee for the
aforementioned replacement program. It is staff’s intent to make the report available for the
Environmental Committee prior to their meeting on February 18, 2016.
Additionally, staff are seeking direction on the following questions:
1. What colour temperature should be considered through the LED replacement program?
Currently, HPS street lights are 2,700C, or better known as “warm white”. Through the
replacement program, staff are considering a colour temperature of 3,000C as a continuation of
the “warm white” spectrum to mitigate most of the known health and environmental concerns
associated with LED street lighting.
2. Are there and known environmental concerns assocoiated with LED lighting and colour
temperature that cannot be mitigated through colour temperature and installation practices? To
this point staff have considered:
- Dark sky compliance
- Light distribution patterns
- Circadian rhythm and the effect of blue light
- CPTED considerations
- Other perceived lighting impacts
Should you have any questions or concerns in advance of receiving the formal report, or the
Environment Committee meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Barry Cronkite
Transportation Planning Project Manager
519-741-2200 x 7738 | barry.cronkite@kitchener.ca
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