City of Tacoma Street Light Replacement Project

Less Light Pollution

• The dim-ability of LED technology allows us to control street light systems to only provide the level of illumination needed at any given time, which is nearly impossible with conventional street lighting.
• LEDs allow for a high degree of control over where the light is directed, as opposed to conventional street lamps that shine light in all directions.
• Many of our current lights broadcast light into the sky. This type of light, called up-lighting, provides no benefit for street lights that are 30 – 40 feet high and, in fact, actually creates visual problems for nocturnal animals.

Improved Visibility

• LEDs provide greater control over the light distribution, creating more consistent light levels where needed. This minimizes the amount of blue light emitted reducing glare.
• LED lighting allows greater visibility at a distance for drivers, creating an extra safety margin by providing between 1.5 – 2 times further coverage than existing street lights.
• Because the new fixtures produce less total light, the new LED lights will actually emit less “blue light” than our existing high-pressure sodium light fixtures.

Less Energy

• LEDs use 50 – 65% less energy than the fixtures to be replaced (high-pressure, sodium lights)

Lower Costs

• Lower materials costs – LEDs are more efficient and last much longer than conventional street light lamps.
• Lower utility costs- LEDs require less energy, thereby lowering monthly electricity costs
• Lower maintenance costs – Fewer replacements means lower overall maintenance costs.

Improved Safety & Security

• Fewer outages – longer life equipment means fewer street light outages, improving both safety and security.