Takoma Park is currently considering changing its standard street lights to LED lights. While some residents are in favor of the energy and cost benefits, others are concerned about how this change would affect streets and the community at large.
According to the City of Takoma Park, replacing old, high sodium lights with the more energy efficient LED lights reduces electricity use from around 750,000 kwh to less than 400,000 kwh annually. This reduction would save the city between $746,000 and $904,000 over a 20 year period. The Takoma Park Council Meeting Agenda also states that converting overhead street lights to LED lights would save energy by 30 to 50 percent.
If the city decides to alter its street lights, the conversion would occur through PEPCO’s conversion program.
“LED lights would probably benefit the community in that their higher output could keep drivers from getting into as many accidents. Night driving tends to be dangerous- it is the only condition the MVA requires a prospective drivers practice in,” said Sean Boyce, a resident and student from the Takoma Park area. “Also, brighter lights can illuminate other people from farther away, which could help the easily startled or the nervous from worrying about muggers and such.”
Despite these benefits, some residents remained concerned about how the new LED lights would affect people with different sensitivities towards and preferences for lighting. “Our job is to ensure we have met the correct balance of having the lighting levels on streets and sidewalks at the appropriate levels to ensure people’s safety and comfort and to ensure we are not overlighting areas that would cause light pollution or disturb people in their homes,” said Kate Stewart, the mayor of Takoma Park.
To avoid overlighting, city staff will be measuring the light levels at all test fixtures and installing International Dark Skies certified fixtures. If necessary, the fixtures will have additional shielding.
If the shift to LED lights is made, Takoma Park will be a more environmentally friendly city with lower light pollution levels. In the meantime, the County Council plans on listening to resident feedback and talking with PEPCO. They hope to make a final decision on continuing this project in the fall of 2018.
Article by Moco Student staff writer Emily Zhang of Churchill High School