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rjluna2:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Page A12

Cool Traffic Lights a Hazard

By Dinesh Ramde, Associated Press

Milwaukee - Cities around the country that have installed energy-efficent traffic lights are discovering a hazardous downside: The bulbs don't burn hot enough to melt snow and can become crusted over in a storm - a problem blamed for dozens of accidents and at least one death.
   Many communites have switched to LED bulbs in their traffic lights because the use 90 percent less energy than the old incandescent variety, last longer and save money.  Their advantage is also their drawback: They do not waste energy by producing heat.
   Authories in several states are testing possible solutions, including installing weather shields, adding heating elements like those used in airport runway lights, or coating the lights with water-repellent substances.
   Short of some kind of technological fix, "as far as I'm aware, all that can be done is to have crews clean off the snow by hand," said Green Bay, Wis., police Lt. Jim Runge.  "It's a bit labor-intensive."
   In St. Paul, Minn., for example, city crews use air compressors to blow snow and ice off blocked lights.
   Some communites began installing coll-burning LEDs more than a decade ago, and it wasn't long before drivers started complaining about the problem.
   Exactly how much a technological fix will cost is unclear, but it will surely cut into the savings and the energy efficeny many cites are enjoying.
   Wisconsin, which has put LED bulbs at hundreds of intersections, saves about $750,000 per year in energy costs, said Dave Vieth of the state Transportation Department.

rjluna2:
Opinion / Suggestion for LED Traffic Lights in Snow Belt area.

I suggest you (Department of Transporation, Public Works, and et. al) at start of the winter season, at least install one light complex for each direction fitted with incandescent light bulbs for safety feature.

When the winter season is over, you can always reinstall LEDs for the remaining year.

Lil'Cinnamon:
The traffic light i found on the ground, is LED. and it sure doesn't get hot at all. i can tell this is a hazard! BUT, people should get the fact, if they cannot SEE the light, or if it is out, treat it as a 4 way stop. even on a highway when people usually go fast.

Vince:
Yeah, when traffic lights are defective, the intersection becomes a 4-way stop. If possible, flashing red lights replace the lights' program.

Medved:
The issue is, then such failure mode (snow cover) is not handled by the controller (unlike the burned out filament).
I think this only reveal the flaw of about this signaling: When it is not readable from some side, the safety rely to the people responding in the proper way (4-way stop,...), instead of driving like they are used to.
The danger could be mitigated only by proper publicity about safe behavior in such nonstandard situations.
I've met people, especially in US, saying: The sign say 55mph, so i assume it is safe to drive such speed, why i should care about weather? And it was strong freezing rain...

And to improve the situation technically, the easiest and most efficient would be to add heaters...

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