Australian Govlink Issue 2 2018 | Page 46

44 LIGHTING URBAN LIGHTING SOLUTIONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY The possibility of further energy and cost savings has been brought about by the use of smart lighting controls. Connected via a wireless network, smart controls give local councils the opportunity to monitor and regulate their lighting systems in real-time. Consider the benefits of reducing lighting during quiet periods or increasing it to assist emergency services responding to incidents. Instant reporting also means faults can be identified and repaired much quicker than in the past. The lighting industry has been transformed by the rapid rise of LED technology over the past decade. When compared with traditional lighting solutions, an LED luminaire can dramatically reduce both energy consumption and maintenance requirements. Less money and less downtime wasted on expensive lamp and ballast replacement can equal significant savings each year. Seduced by the substantial savings on offer, a number of local governments (both here and overseas) were quick to adopt the new technology and began rolling out city-wide upgrade plans. As with most technology however, things evolved quickly and in 2017, modern urban lighting has to offer more than reliability, performance and value. It must become part of its surroundings, minimise any impact on residents and the environment and provide a genuine benefit for ratepayers. GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2018 Exterior and urban lighting is one area local governments should never neglect; a well-lit urban space can be aesthetically pleasing and improve safety and security, as explained by the CEO of Advanced Lighting Technologies, Richard Langdon “Roadways and streets should be lit to improve both vehicle and pedestrian safety – compliance with Australian standards like AS/NZS 1158 helps to satisfy this requirement. However, outdoor illumination should also improve practical use of the area at night time,” he said. Some previous generation LED luminaires provide intense, white light that is extremely capable of lighting areas, roadways and public spaces. However recent medical research has suggested luminaries that generate less-intense light using warmer colour temperatures could help minimize p