  Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 1455 Registered: 03-2008 |
For those who have not seen this (I don't think it has been posted yet), Corktown will be getting nifty new LED street lamps in addition to those that exist. I really like this idea! Excerpt from Model D: "An innovative street light program has been implemented in North Corktown: LED lights just under 4 feet tall are being installed in front yards to provide additional street illumination. The lights are tied into the home's electricity -- which means they are not impacted when streetlights go out -- and will cost each homeowner less than $2 per year to operate." Link: http://modeldmedia.com/develop mentnews/ncorkLED15508.aspx | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 13740 Registered: 12-2003 |
They could be solared for NO cost per year, but the white-blue they will probably emit is SO damned offensive to the human perceptual system, I certainly hope these DO NOT become ubiquitous. They can be filtered by tinted lenses to be more agreeable...and bring down the intensity somewhat. Best thing? With the proper design, they can be instantly turned into near-weapons with extremely rapid high-energy flashing to basically paralyze a perpetrator...or confound the heck out of a neighbor's offensive yapping doggy. But I doubt they've gone this far...they didn't ask me first (while over-caffeinated, at least!). I'd have said four feet was just high enough to seriously annoy dogs and children, but not blind the thieves unless they're crawling! (although I'm assuming they only shine downward, but that would be too much to ask...what's the bet that they will add to our light pollution, obscuring the skies even MORE in the inner city?) Security cameras will have KILLER feet shots for proper, um, tracking of any criminals! Hey...you called this a 'solution', I'm just adding a few random thoughts to the mix... | ||
Hudkina Member Username: Hudkina Post Number: 275 Registered: 12-2004 |
Don't a lot of neighborhoods already have small street lamps in their front yards? | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 2942 Registered: 07-2004 |
Great, so you pay taxes for streetlights AND get to shell out to pay for your own streetlight. Gotta love Detroit... | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 4721 Registered: 10-2003 |
Um, what's the point of having a Department of Public Lighting? | ||
Hudkina Member Username: Hudkina Post Number: 277 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yes, because that $2 is a real kick in the ass. Having a lamppost in your front yard is no different from having a light on your front porch... | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 2946 Registered: 07-2004 |
Oh, jeez, Hud. It's the principle of the thing is all. | ||
Novine Member Username: Novine Post Number: 659 Registered: 07-2007 |
News flash, if you ask Detroit Edison or Consumers to put a decorative light in your front yard, they'll gladly do so and slap the cost to install it and the monthly operating costs onto your bill. What did I miss? | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 4851 Registered: 06-2004 |
How about they concentrate on solar powered LED streetlights instead? The solar panels and batteries could all be mounted near the lamphead so that scrappers wouldn't be such a problem. | ||
Saintme Member Username: Saintme Post Number: 206 Registered: 08-2006 |
They have these in Ann Arbor. They are "dark sky friendly" meaning they actually darken the sky. http://www.icmatv.com/?id=2&vid=149 (Message edited by SaintMe on August 13, 2008) | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 1815 Registered: 04-2006 |
How can adding a light actually darken the sky?? I can understand them being light pollution friendly, but actually darken the sky? I doubt it. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 6095 Registered: 12-2005 |
Well, they might darken the sky for astronomers who use the correct filters. Does that make sense? By shifting the emissions to frequencies that can be filtered out, astronomers can work around the light pollution. I have two light pollution filters. They screw into the back of a telescope's eyepiece. (Message edited by jimaz on August 13, 2008) | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 582 Registered: 04-2004 |
Great technology, but I agree with Gannon on this one. It would be nice if the lights were modified not to have that stale look. They are getting there though. I've seen LED's that cast off incandescent-like light. Lilpup, there's a few test lights like what you are describing on U of M's north campus. I think they are strictly LED powered, but they require a 14 x 22 inch panel to power them. And that is just to power LED's. I wonder how big it would have to be to power a normal lamp. It may not be as bad as those 1960's cobra lights, but a smaller street lamp, it would be rather unattractive. But the technology is improving, so eventually..... (Message edited by wolverine on August 13, 2008) |
