Chicago, one of the most famous cities in the U.S. is going to be one of the largest cities in the world to switch its street lighting infrastructure to LEDs. Around 85 per cent of its street lights will be replaced with LEDs over the next four years.
The plan will see 270,000 high pressure sodium lights, which give an orange glow, switched to more energy efficient, durable and robust LED lights. The scheme started last year and is going to cost $160m.
LED manufacturers generally claim the technology can check energy use by between 60 and 80 per cent, delivering ROI in two years or even less. It will also include a smart grid that specifies when a light is not working, as a result that residents will no longer have to report faults.
“This project is a win-win – it will deliver one of the largest lighting modernisation programs in the country while addressing one of the top reasons residents call 311,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, referring to the number used by residents to make a complaint to the council.
“Under this proposed project we will be delivering modern, reliable and high-quality lighting that will improve quality of life in every Chicago neighbourhood,” he added in a statement.
This move strongly hints at the global trend which has started everywhere as the increase in the number of cities have begun to switch to LEDs in order to cut down carbon emission as well as costs.
