2021-003 LED Upgrade Project StatusDate: January 8, 2021 Report No. 2021-003
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Update on DME’s LED Street Light Upgrade CIP project.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On September 17, 2019, the Denton City Council approved an ordinance that funded the upgrade
of all the existing streetlights from High Pressure Sodium (HPS) to the more efficient and effective
Light Emitting Diode (LED) type light. Moving forward, LED lights will be the standard for all
public space lighting installations. The city currently has approximately 10,000 streetlights. The
anticipated duration of the project was to be 3 years.
Upgrade of the lights began in earnest in February 2020. To date approximately 3,200 lights have
been converted to LED.
BACKGROUND:
LED lights have become the industry standard for public space lighting. The lights have a lifespan
that is almost double of the old style HPS and mercury vapor type lights. This reduces maintenance
costs for the City. The new technology LEDs, which are being installed by DME, can be monitored
and controlled remotely. The control system can dim (lower the light intensity) as well as report
lights that are not functioning. The HPS lights relied primarily on citizen reports to identify lights
that had burned out. This led to a significant number of lights being out at any one time. The above-
mentioned factors were key to the Council providing direction to upgrade the light system.
LED light is whiter than the yellow glow of HPS lights. The difference that citizens notice is the
temperature (color). The comments we have received are along the lines of the light is “very white
and very bright”. HPS lights have a temperature of about 2200 Kelvin. The lights are being
installed in residential areas have a temperature of 3000 Kelvin. For minor and major
thoroughfares, the temperature of the lights is 4000 Kelvin. The higher the number the “whiter”
the light. The light color of the LED lights was determined by a test area that DME set up prior to
the selection of the LEDs that are being used. LED lights do not technically have the ability to
emit light that mimics HPS light.
The LED light, while different, does a much better job illuminating the area beneath and around
the fixtures. The increased lighting levels provides additional safety for residents, pedestrians, and
motorists. To that end, DME has accelerated the timetable of the upgrade project. The project,
barring any supply chain issues, should be finished in early 2022 (one year earlier than originally
projected).
The benefits of the increased lighting have caused some residents to reach out to the City to request
help with reducing or redirecting the light. DME has upgrade approximately 3,200 lights across
the city. As a result, residents contacting the City resulted in only 25 streetlights being proactively
dimmed 40%. Since September 2020, DME has, as a standard procedure, dimmed the new LED
Date: January 8, 2021 Report No. 2021-003
streetlights (residential areas only) 40% which appears to be acceptable to the residents. Nine (9)
residents requested additional measures be taken. DME successfully installed shields on the light
to deflect light away from the residences. DME has no known open issues with any residents
regarding an upgraded light.
STAFF CONTACT:
Chris Lutrick
DME Executive Manager of Operations
(940) 349-7152
Chris.Lutrick@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Staff generated
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
DME
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE:
1 Hours