New York City DOT Recently Announced The Installation of LED Fixtures in Central Park

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced the installation of LED fixtures in Central Park, the East River Bridges, Eastern Parkway and the underdeck of Manhattan's FDR Drive - significant upgrades to the City's lighting infrastructure that will provide substantial energy- and cost-savings while providing quality light to these public spaces. These upgrades retain, and in some instances, improve illumination levels of these areas, and continue to enhance public safety. DOT, together with the Climate Group and the US Department of Energy, initiated a multiyear study in 2009 as part of a global study to quantify the benefits for cities to use LED lighting versus existing fixtures. Observations of LED fixtures on the FDR Drive and in Central Park showed significant energy savings, up to 50% and 83%, respectively. Given these findings, and the overall goals of PlaNYC, the mayor's sustainability agenda, and DOT's strategic plan, DOT will start replacing all 1,600 metal-halide fixtures in Manhattan's Central Park, which is expected to deliver energy savings of up to 62%. The agency also is moving forward to replace hundreds of remaining mercury-vapor necklace lights on all of the East River Bridges and also install LED fixtures on key highways. The LED program is expected to achieve nearly US$300,000 in annual energy and maintenance savings in fiscal year 2013, with additional savings to follow that reflect the full year value. Source: DIGITIMES