New York’s Central Avenue to trial LED street lights

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the 1780 New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) are to install LED street lights on a section of Central Avenue in Colonie, Albany County, in a bid to enhance visibility and safety, as well as reduce energy costs.
 
The new lighting, which supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy, is part of a demonstration project bringing together industry, government agencies, not-for-profits and academic organisations to develop a systematic strategy to transition street lights to energy-saving LED lighting throughout New York State.
 
Installations are scheduled to start this fall on the US$300,000 project, which is being supported by NYSDOT State Planning and Research funds. Once completed, the average light level along this section of the street is expected to increase by about 35 to 40 per cent, enhancing safety by making pedestrians more visible.
 
Lessons learned from the project will be documented in a report that will demonstrate how local and state agencies and utilities can best coordinate to convert their existing roadway lighting to LED lighting.