LED Smart Street Lighting

Luminaire Performance

The performance of luminaires is based on two main criteria:

1. High-quality LEDs should be utilized in order to provide the maximum target lumens possible. A properly designed optics system will ensure that light is delivered only where it is needed… on the roadway. The result is less light pollution (Sky Glow), wasted light, and energy. See figure 4.
2. Thermal management. It is important to properly manage heat and maintain a lower temperature for the LEDs. They should be made compatible to operate at high ambient temperature (for example, 50°C).

Reliability Engineering

Reliability engineering saves on overall maintenance costs and careful component selection is essential. Reliability calculations should take into account the mean time before failure (MTBF). MTBF is widely used by specifiers to measure the reliability of the product and its supporting components (performance LEDs, power supply, and thermal fin design).

Here is an example of how component selection plays a part, consider the capacitor used in a power supply. A typical commercial grade power supply utilizes low-end capacitors. These have an average life of 28,000 hours but the cost is low ($0.28 each). Utilizing a high-end capacitor provides better reliability to the power supply. These have an extended life of 110,000 hours but come at a higher cost ($3 each). By investing in higher quality components you will save more money over the course of the product’s lifetime by lowering maintenance and replacement costs.

Improved Safety and Security

Higher light levels can ensure increased safety and security for citizens.

By designing lighting layouts which are in accordance of international roadway lighting standards, better light levels and uniformity can be achieved (See photo 1).

LED lighting has better color rendering index (CRI) of 65 – 75 compared to 20 – 30 for conventional systems. It also provides better color recognition. Further innovations like using better reliability and electronic failure notifications can help us approach 100% service level.

Environmental Protection

LED Roadway Lighting’s luminaires have gone through vigorous salt spray & wind tests in order to withstand corrosion and cyclone effects in coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai and also heatwave in New Delhi. Protection is crucial for the vibrant weather in India. Ingress protection (ensuring protection from dust and water), high temperature ratings, and durability in high wind/ storms are important considerations. LED Roadway Lighting’s luminaires have gone through vigorous salt spray and wind tests in order to withstand corrosion in coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai.

Benefits of Smart Controls

LED street lighting can act as a backbone of the smart city infrastructure. A good Central Management System (CMS) can provide wireless control of wattage and lumen optimization, failure notifications (leading to lower maintenance costs), and also generate various reports on parameters like power consumption (accurate metering), voltage, and power factor. Other CMS features include asset status, location, and installation tracking.