LED Traffic Signal Retrofits: Implications for Intersection Safety
The recent advancements in light emitting diode (LED) technology and the comparative energy savings over traditional incandescent bulbs have led to many municipalities retrofitting traffic signals with new LED bulbs. Although a significant amount of literature exists regarding benefits of LED installations in terms of energy and economic savings, less attention has been given to the potential safety impacts of these massive retrofit projects. This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the safety implications of the change to LED technology in traffic signals in Memphis, Tennessee, where 56 full LED conversions and 712 partial conversions (red and green only) of signalized intersections have occurred since 2000. Eight intersections where LED retrofit has occurred and two comparison sites with no LED installation were evaluated. Analysis of before and after crash data for the study sample indicates a 47% decrease in safety after LED installation.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AHB50 Traffic Control Devices
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Jami, N
- Ivey, S
- Lipinski, M
- Golias, M M
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2012-1-22 to 2012-1-26
- Date: 2012
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 13p
- Monograph Title: TRB 91st Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Light emitting diodes; Signalized intersections; Traffic safety; Traffic signals
- Geographic Terms: Memphis (Tennessee)
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01371264
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 12-0116
- Files: TRIS, TRB
- Created Date: May 25 2012 12:06PM