Streetlight Upgrade (LED lighting)
Overview: In accordance with the Climate Action Plan, the City of Berkeley is developing a plan to replace conventional street lights with more efficient lighting technologies to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting provides an improved, whiter, brighter light quality which enhances night visibility while lowering energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and maintenance costs. The Marina LED Pilot Project is an opportunity to test and showcase the use of new lighting technology.
Marina LED Pilot Project: The Marina lighting retrofit project will replace 75 high-pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights with LED streetlights at the Berkeley Marina. The project is expected to save an average of 50% in energy consumption and be virtually maintenance free for 15-20 years. The new fixtures will be mounted on the existing cobra head style light poles. The number and location of the light fixtures will remain unchanged.
LEDs emit directional light which provide more control over what is lit (streets and sidewalks) versus what should remain dark (the night sky). This makes for easier compliance with the Dark Skies Initiative (http://www.darksky.org/), which aims to reduce light pollution and its associated wildlife impacts.
Location: The streetlight upgrade pilot project will be located at the Berkeley Marina from University Avenue, west of West Frontage Rd. and including the full lengths of Marina Blvd, Spinnaker Way and Seawall Drive.
Benefits of LED Lighting:
- Improved lighting conditions for drivers and pedestrians alike
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduced maintenance and replacement costs
- Improved night visibility due to higher color rendering and higher color temperature
- Increased light uniformity and distribution of light between poles
- Enhanced directionality and controllability, reduced light pollution
- Significantly longer lifespan
- Instant-on with no run-up or re-strike delays
- Less toxic, LED lights contain no mercury or lead and are 100% recyclable
- Lower environmental footprint
- Smarter lighting control technology including remote monitoring and control for lights
Public Feedback We are interested in your feedback. If you have comments on the new LED lighting please email them to greenbuilding@cityofberkeley.info or contact Billi Romain at 510-981-7432
Next Steps: The City of Berkeley is working with the Bay Area Climate Collaborative Next Generation Streetlight Initiative to implement a city-wide street lighting retrofit with the goal of maximizing the efficiency of street lighting.
More Information:
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