Green traffic lights across London
by David Masters
August 19, 2009
Transport for London has announced plans to install energy saving LEDs in 3,500 of the capital’s traffic lights.
The £2.4 million move will cut energy consumption by around 60%, saving TfL an estimated £200,000 per year in fuel bills.
The LEDs will replace 3,500 lamps at 300 junctions in the capital.
As well as reducing its fuel bills, TfL said it aims to encourage businesses and homes across the UK to adopt LED lighting, and to inspire more manufacturers to produce LED light bulbs.
“I’ve seen the future and it comprises these tip-top, energy-busting traffic lights,” said Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
“Installing these eco-bulbs will cut the climate change emissions coming from London’s galaxy of traffic lights by more than half, as well as save money from energy bills.
“We are pressing ahead to get many more of these illuminating orbs onto our streets to join a range of other energy-zapping measures already saving us money, such as solar-powered bus stops and shelters.”
Alan Bristow, TfL’s director of traffic operations, said as well as saving energy, the LED bulbs will help to cut maintenance costs because they last up to ten times longer compared to standard bulbs.
A number of supermarkets already use LED lighting in food cabinet displays.
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I suppose the big savings will be in maintenance – a 12 year payback in energy costs is not great.
A few things bother me: they are only claiming a 60% reduction in energy costs – I would have expected 80% in going from incandescent to LEDs.
Each traffic light refit costs £690 which is £230 / bulb (assuming 3 needed for each) which is rather expensive for a light bulb.
I am not sure how much of that would be the labour to fit the LEDs but it is still a lot.
This suggests that LEDs are years away from domestic use – anyway, people should use CFLs which cost about £2.50 or 1/100 the cost of LEDs for the same level of energy efficiency.
Comment by James Mahon — August 19, 2009 @ 10:26 am
Surely there are obvious other benefits with LED? Arent CFLs worse for the environment? The major upside to LEDs is that they last much longer than CFLs and dont deteriorate in quality so fast. The initial cost saved from a CFL would be outweighed in no time by LED as a much better long term solution!
Comment by Greig — August 27, 2009 @ 9:38 am