LEDs Lights up Boston Common

A test installation of acorn-style LED streetlights will enable the evaluation of energy usage and aesthetic impacts.

Boston Night View

The use of LED lighting for public spaces, sidewalks and roadways is being explored in Boston, Massachusetts, through the installation of a demonstration project on Boston Common, with others proposed across the City. This is part of Mayor Thomas Menino's efforts to "green" Boston.

By trying out LED lighting in these demonstration projects and soliciting comments (which can be submitted via www.CityofBoston.gov/LED, the City will be better able to evaluate the technology as well as its aesthetic impacts.

The City recently installed LED lights along the "Mayor's Walk" as part of an effort to showcase the technology and solicit community input. The temporary installation features "acorn" style streetlamps, three each from six different manufacturers.

Mayor Menino also announced that the City has joined the national LED City program, an international initiative to deploy and promote energy-efficient LED lighting.

"This is another great example of our boundless creativity in using new, innovative and cutting-edge technology to stretch the dollar of Boston's residents while helping to preserve our beautiful environment," said Mayor Menino. "Programs like this one continue to make Boston one of the country's leaders in the use of green technology."

Currently, Boston's streetlights generate 24,000 tons of carbon (CO2e) emissions annually, which accounts for about 8 percent of all municipal emissions. By converting to LED technology the city estimates it would cut its emissions from streetlights by about half.

It's also expected to reduce lighting costs. As an example, more than 11,000 traffic signals and 1,800 pedestrian crossing lights in Boston were gradually replaced with LEDs over the past ten years, which has saved the city nearly $400,000 annually in energy costs.