The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is one of the largest users of light-emitting diode (LED) traffic signal modules in the world, having purchased more than 230,000 units for deployment at signalized intersections, ramp meters, and flashing beacons. With the current deployments at signalized intersections and ramp meters, Caltrans has dropped its power demand by 10 megawatts and has reduced electrical consumption by 71 million kilowatt-hrs/year, translating to taxpayer savings of $10 million/year for the California state highway system alone. Even though LED implementation efforts began before the energy crisis of 2000/2001, the energy crisis accelerated the rate of LED deployment in California by about 3-4 years. This article discusses LED traffic signal module implementation in California, and the nature of the relationship between rising costs for energy and accelerated deployment of LED technology. (Author/Publisher)
Samenvatting