Energy-Efficient Traffic Lights Can't Melt Snow

[Elmore Furth]

Every change made for the better has unexpected consequences. A variation of the dictum, "No good deed goes unpunished."

December 15, 2009


MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Cities around the country that have installed energy-efficient traffic lights are discovering a hazardous downside: The bulbs don't burn hot enough to melt snow and can become crusted over in a storm -- a problem blamed for dozens of accidents and at least one death.

''I've never had to put up with this in the past,'' said Duane Kassens, a driver from West Bend who got into a fender-bender recently because he couldn't see the lights. ''The police officer told me the new lights weren't melting the snow. How is that safe?''

Many communities have switched to LED bulbs in their traffic lights because they use 90 percent less energy than the old incandescent variety, last far longer and save money. Their great advantage is also their drawback: They do not waste energy by producing heat.

Wisconsin, which has put LED bulbs at hundreds of intersections, saves about $750,000 per year in energy costs, said Dave Vieth of the state Transportation Department. LEDs installed seven years ago are still burning, while most incandescent bulbs have to be replaced every 12 to 18 months, he said.

Energy-Efficient Traffic Lights Can't Melt Snow

[Deja Q]

1. Okay, so he couldn't see the snow-shrouded light. The cars in front of him weren't covered in snow.

Uh, in a blizzard, you drive slowly and stay a fair distance back... AND keep the eyes open for anything unusual because this is a snow storm. Not a Tupperware party.

[Merchant Marine]

5. People go dumb when the weather hits...

[madokie]

6. Never a more truer statement ever made

Here in Ok we only get snow and ice once in a while and when its all melted our vehicles look like we all live in houston texas where every car over two days or so old has a dent in it.

[Jamastiene]

2. They could put small heaters with thermostats

and proximity switches that checked to make sure it wasn't a bird before turning the heaters on.

Then again, it might be cheaper to make the lights out of some material that resists freezing. I don't know if one exists.

Or they could just use the lights that will melt snow but only come on when the temperature and humidity reach certain conditions.

[Nihil]

8. They could try driver education too ...

> They could put small heaters with thermostats
> and proximity switches that checked to make sure it wasn't a bird
> before turning the heaters on.

Why increase complexity (+ cost + maintenance requirements) when there is
no need to do so?

> Then again, it might be cheaper to make the lights out of some material
> that resists freezing. I don't know if one exists.

It's not the material itself that freezes but the water in the atmosphere
(in the form of snow, ice, frost, etc.).

> Or they could just use the lights that will melt snow but only come on
> when the temperature and humidity reach certain conditions.

Again, why increase complexity (+ cost + maintenance requirements)?

The solution is to educate the drivers and point out that being unable
to see a light because it is covered with snow is really no different
from being unable to see a light because of a power cut or a bulb failure.
If you are incapable of handling those events, you should not be on the
road as you are not only terminally stupid but a hazard to other road users.

:shrug:

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. On the other hand…

When was the last time you saw a burnt-out LED traffic light? (as opposed to an incandescent bulb.)

Honestly, we’ve had LED traffic lights around here for years, and I haven’t noticed snow being a big problem…

[Arctic Dave]

4. I never experienced this problem, and they installed them in anchorage a long time ago.

Sounds like BS, because the lime would illuminate the snow or ice that is stuck to them.

[joshcryer]

7. Yeah, obviously a cop-out for bad driving behavior.

Even fully crusted over you should simply stop at a light as if it is a red light.