Slashdot Mirror
Midwest Seeing Red Over 'Green' Traffic Lights
theodp writes "Many municipalities have switched to LED traffic signals because they burn brighter, last longer and use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. But they also emit less heat, meaning they sometimes have trouble melting snow, causing problems across the Midwest. In Wisconsin, snow blanketed LED traffic lights in some towns, leading to crashes at intersections where drivers weren't sure whether to stop or go. The unintended consequences of the green technology were also identified as a 'contributing factor' in the death of an Illinois woman hit by a driver who blamed the snow-covered energy-efficient signal for giving the appearance of a normal green light instead of a left-turn signal. 'We can remove the snow with heat, but the cost of doing that in terms of energy use has not brought any enthusiasm from cities and states that buy these signals,' said the CEO of an LED traffic-signal manufacturer. 'They'd like to be able to take away this issue, but they don't want to spend the money and lose the savings.' In the meantime, some towns are addressing sporadic problems by dispatching crews to remove snow or ice from signals using poles, brooms, and heating devices." We were discussing these recently at the office — several folks in the building are red/green color blind and different street lights are differently distinguishable.
"I've never seen one obstructed by snow."
Yea, because you couldn't see it.
God forbid someone spends an extra 10 seconds waiting. it will ruin their whole day
He did - he went straight through just like anyone driving a Dodge RAM does.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
My town mistakenly ordered IED lights. These remove their own snow.
If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
Of course. You will obviously save more energy by using a heat-generating bulb 24/7/365 than adding a heat source which kicks on when needed (either by direct control or by a sensor).
This is why I took out all my light switches and just leave my lights and appliances running all the time. It saves me time and energy! Plus, with all those lights on, I run my heater less in the winter! Doubleplusgood savings!