A Practical Approach to Evaluating the Economic and Technical Feasibility of LED Luminaires

Abstract

LED roadway luminaires are currently under consideration for widespread implementation with departments of transportation, facilities managers, and city planners. This research focuses on a case study in Missouri and presents relevant research indings calculated by the authors as part of a project funded by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Although high-pressure sodium (HPS) luminaires have been the standard product for roadway illumination, advances in LED technologies have led many departments of transportation to consider them as viable options along state routes. For this case study, pilot sites were developed across the state of Missouri in sites assessed as moderately busy, medium pedestrian conlict zones. These zones were along roadways with an R3 pavement classiication. This case study details the economic feasibility indings from the study; a life cycle cost approach was used. In addition, a technical feasibility analysis was conducted to determine it with Illumination Engineering Society (IES) standards for the traic patern and pavement classiication at study sites. Key indings reveal that LED roadway luminaires fail to outperform HPS in their current design, but may become technically and economically feasible in the future.