Spring's Wintry Weather Causing Issues With LED Traffic Signals
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Cranberry Township has been using LED traffic lights for more than 15 years, and not once have they had to change a bulb, but with this convenience and economic advantage also comes some challenges.
Some weather conditions - like heavy, sticky snow, ice and high winds – make LED lights not as efficient.
That was the case Sunday morning in Cranberry Township.
"It has a tendency, with the LED traffic lights being low heat, sometimes that ice will stick to the lenses of the traffic signal and will cause that light to be occulated. You can't see it," said Public Works Director Jason Dailey.
Dailey says 12 to 14 intersections were affected last weekend, mostly along Route 228 eastbound.
"There were a few signals that required us to go in with our bucket truck, and we had to go up and knock that ice off the lens," Dailey said.
This is only the second time in 15 years that the township has had this happen with the lights.
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The LED light is just 6.4 watts. The old incandescent bulb is 135 watts.
So the benefits of LEDs are greater than the downside, saving cities across the country up to 80 percent in energy bills and maintenance.