County switches all its traffic lights to green

21 March 2007

Kent County Council plans to be the first authority to switch to low-energy light bulbs in all its traffic lights, in an effort to save money and reduce its carbon footprint.
From 2008-09, the council intends to replace 16,723 signal bulbs and 2,318 push-button bulbs county-wide with new light emitting diodes (LEDs). In addition to the reduction in CO2 emissions, this would save the council more than £2M over six years. Keith Ferrin, the council’s cabinet member for environment, highways and waste, said: ‘Switching our traffic lights makes good business sense and give the environment a helping hand.
The technology has been developed by one of our Kent Highway Services’ partners and the timing seems right.’ He added that the council planned to convert much of its vehicle fleet to biofuel, once a feasibility study into its use was completed. Dave Coatham, the Institute of Lighting Engineers’ technical services manager, said: ‘I think it is a good thing. LEDs in traffic lights do indicate reasonable savings in energy and maintenance, and also to the motorists as there is a less chance of failure.’ He said he was unaware of any other authority to plan a blanket roll out of ‘green’ traffic lights.

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County switches all its traffic lights to green

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