Philadelphia To Install 100,000 ‘Smart’ Streetlights

[WNYresident]

Philadelphia To Install 100,000 ‘Smart’ Streetlights

Philadelphia was the first city in America with public streetlights, thanks to Ben Franklin’s introduction of the oil candle in colonial times. But the city has been a little slower than others to switch its public streetlights to modern energy-saving LEDs, mostly because the conversion costs are high.
That’s about to change. The city’s Energy Office is preparing to issue a call for vendors who can convert all 100,000 city streetlights to LEDs in two to three years. The aim is to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and to shrink the government’s single largest energy expense — the city spends $15 million a year on streetlights. The new lamps might also provide more light in some crime-plagued neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

https://www.technocracy.news/philade...-streetlights/

[sharky]

hopefully they get ones in a color spectrum, and with proper directional output, to not add to light pollution
LEDs are really bad for that. Granted in a city you're not going to be able to do much star gazing anyway, but no need to make it worse.
https://www.darksky.org/5-popular-my...-streetlights/

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

hopefully they get ones in a color spectrum, and with proper directional output, to not add to light pollution
LEDs are really bad for that. Granted in a city you're not going to be able to do much star gazing anyway, but no need to make it worse.
https://www.darksky.org/5-popular-my...-streetlights/

I thought LEDs were good for controlling light pollution? I know there are lights that can really help with this. What kind are they?

[sharky]

I thought LEDs were good for controlling light pollution? I know there are lights that can really help with this. What kind are they?

the problem with them according to one of the astronomy magazines I read is the wavelengths of light the leds give off. They're that really bright bluish white which scatters really well or something. Plus since they use less electricity and cost less to run once installed towns end up installing more of them then the number of lights they previously had installed.
the old yellowish street lights are apparently best for light pollution

[WNYresident]

Light Pollution Solutions

Every Day Needs a Night.

All around us this unintended pollutant is taking a silent toll. Each year, thousands of migrating and shorebirds are killed because of unnecessary artificial light at night. Light pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. It also impacts our quality of life by eradicating our access to the wonder of beautiful night skies.

Help us Save the Night.

The good news is, the solution is as easy as screwing in a lightbulb. Light pollution is something we can all help erase, in our homes and backyards, the parks that we play in, and the cities we call home.

Below is a list of tactics and actions you can take to immediately help. We hope you’ll join us as we tackle this major problem that gets minimal coverage.

LEDs and compact fluorescents (CFLs) can help reduce energy use and protect the environment, but only warm-colored bulbs should be used.

Dimmers, motion sensors and timers can help to reduce average illumination levels and save even more energy.

Outdoor lighting fixtures that shield the light source to minimize glare and light trespass help prevent light pollution. Illustrated guide to the acceptable vs unacceptable types of light fixtures:



Switching to LED lighting allows for reduced illuminance without compromising visibility.

Turn off unnecessary indoor lighting – particularly in empty office buildings at night.

Avoid blue lights at night

https://www.darksky.org/light-pollut...ion-solutions/