LED streetlights are known to be bright, sometimes too bright that UK and U.S. residents have complained glare from LEDs disrupted sleeping patterns. In a recent turn of events, though, residents in Taiwan and India have reported the LED streetlights were too dim, and were underperforming in brightness compared to previous generation lights.
A report from Calcutta, the capital of Indian state West Bengal, lamented the city sunk into utter darkness every night since streetlights have been removed for crucial
LED lighting upgrades. According to The Telegraph report, even in areas where LED streetlights could be found, residents have complained they were not bright enough. Specifics were not given as to why the lights were dimmer than previous streetlights. The city plans to convert a total of 15,000 streetlights to LEDs in several phases this year.
Last month, a report from Taiwan pointed out new LED streetlights installed in Shilin District in Taipei could not light up the entire street at night. In the past, four HID lamps could illuminate a 100 meter alley, but the new LED streetlights could not, according to a TVBS report. The point light source LEDs could only cover an average range of 12 meters, while the omnidirectional HID streetlights were able to illuminate 25 meters.
What’s wrong with the LED streetlight installations?
The cases seem to counter LED manufacturers claims that LEDs are a much better light source. It would be too early to jump to the conclusion that LED streetlights are generally ineffective. After all many other major cities from Los Angeles, New York to London have turned to the new light source with few issues. If the right type of LED light is chosen it can proffer high brightness and lower energy consumption. Yet, there will be problems if the wrong type of light is chosen.
For instance, in the Taipei streetlight case, authorities were aware the LED lights were point light sources, which basically means the lights tend to go in one direction only. An omnidirectional LED light or addition of a light diffuser plate would have compensated the shortcoming of the light’s short light emission range of 12 meters.
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