Better lighting quality

LED lights improves lighting quality. This includes:

• Color
• Visibility
• Dark skies
• Less light trespass
• And so on

Better for the environment

The environmental benefits include:

• Lower energy use
• Lower carbon dioxide emissions
• Less waste (due to longer lifespan of bulbs)

Lower costs

LED lights lower our costs due to:

• Less wattage/electricity used
• Less maintenance (due to longer lifespan of bulbs)

Focused lighting for safer streets

As LED lighting is now the industry standard, Public Works has tested different options. We require street lights that shine light only where needed.

Our City Street Light Policy requires new street lights to have full cutoff fixtures. This means they do not shine light upward. This meets guidelines to reduce light pollution and keeps the night sky darker.

These fixtures, combined with LED technology, also help direct light more precisely. It reduces glare and unwanted light for people who:

• Walk and roll
• Bicyclists
• Drivers

Color temperature in street lighting

Research on the concerns of color temperature is ongoing and not complete.

There are concerns about LED street lights because they also emit blue light.

This is the same light emitted from devices such as TVs, cell phones, and LED home lighting.

Blue light is also present in:

• Vehicle headlights
• Moonlight
• Sunlight
• Older street lights, such as high-pressure sodium and fluorescent lamps

Testing a solution to blue light

To explore potential solutions, the City is testing a new LED street light. This light gives off a warmer, more yellow-orange light with less blue.

While these lights are slightly less energy efficient and can affect how colors appear, they may help address concerns about blue light exposure.

Ongoing efforts

Our pilot is taking place on Plymouth Avenue between Lyndale Ave N and 2nd St N.

Public Works began looking into this issue in late 2015.

We'll continue to monitor LED technology and research. As we learn more, we’ll keep you informed and adjust our street light policy if needed.