FAQ | LED Modernization Project

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• Why LED (Light Emitting Diode) Streetlights?

  Durability: LED streetlights are rated at 100,000 hours which should last 20+ years. The existing HPS streetlights typically last 3-4 years. Converting the cobrahead streetlighting infrastructure to an LED source will reduce maintenance expenses and improve reliability.
  
  Energy Efficiency: LED streetlights consume less energy than HPS streetlights. This project will significantly reduce both the City’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.
  
  Lighting Efficacy: LED streetlights make use of special optic lenses and shields for proper light distributions. With improved LED optics, there will be a reduction in light pollution and less light trespass into constituents homes and businesses.

• The City of Pittsburgh already has some LED streetlights; will these be different?

  The configuration of the LED optics has improved. Less light emitting diodes with better light output, producing less heat, almost guarantees a better, longer lasting fixture, generating cost savings by cutting down on maintenance. Complying with the dark sky ordinance, the new LED lights will be a warmer temperature at 2700K whereas the existing LED lights are 4000K.

  Kelvin (Correlated Color Temperature)

  

• Does LED lighting improve public safety?

  The more defined light from an LED fixture will enhance night-time visibility, thus improving traffic safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Having a higher color rendition index in LED’s results in improving the perception of color of objects, making it easier to identify people, vehicles, road conditions, debris and other elements in or around the public right of way. Additionally, LED lighting improves peripheral visibility and enhance video resolution quality.

• Will the new streetlights reduce light pollution?

  The new streetlights will adhere to International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recommended practices, intended to reduce light pollution, which includes uplighting, light trespass, and roadway glare at night. New LED streetlights are designed to direct light only where needed.

• Who is installing the streetlights?

  The City will issue a Request for Proposal to solicit responsible contractors through a competitive bid process in Summer/Fall of 2024.

• How long will it take to upgrade all the streetlights to LED?

  The projected schedule for installation is two years.

• How will residents know when the streetlights in their neighborhood will be replaced?

  A progress tracker, showing current and updated installation schedules, will be available for all neighborhoods on the “Project Tracker” page. Door hangers notifying residents of upcoming construction will also be distributed in advance of installation crews coming to an area.

• Will my street be dark during the installation?

  No. The awarded contractor will be installing the lights during daylight hours, one-by-one, meaning when one old light is removed, a new one will be installed, and energized. No lights will be removed without being immediately replaced.

• Will the new lighting system reduce outages?

  This upgrade will not reduce electrical distribution outages, however with longer rated life LED fixtures, there will be a considerable reduction in fixture failed outages.

• Will the new streetlights help the City of Pittsburgh save money?

  Once the project is fully commissioned, the City anticipates a decrease in energy consumption for streetlights. If attainable, we hope to implement a remote monitoring and control system to promptly detect and locate outages, improving the management of the City's lighting system. This will lead to more efficient operations and maintenance savings for the City!