LED Traffic Lights in London

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced this week the introduction in the British capital of LED technology at around 3,500 traffic lights, located in some 300 junctions across the city. The £2.4 million investment in the LED will help, says the Mayor's office, save around £200,000 in energy costs a year.

“I've seen the future and it comprises these tip top energy busting traffic lights. Installing these eco-bulbs will cut the climate change emissions coming from London's galaxy of traffic lights by over half as well as save money from energy bills," the Mayor said when announcing the plan.

So far, Traffic for London (TfL) has trialled LED traffic lights on a small scale in Croydon between January 2007 and August 2008. The results of the test showed LED will help reduce power consumption and CO2 levels as well, at what they call a reasonable price.

"These new lights will not only cut CO2 emissions but they will also last about ten times longer than standard bulbs meaning we will save on maintenance costs," Alan Bristow, TfL director of traffic operations added.

London will be the biggest LED traffic lights experiment in the UK. LED use for this purpose comes to complement the already introduced LEDs on 3,500 solar powered bus stops (to provide illumination for the stop and signage) and 640 shelters.

"We are pressing ahead to get many more of these illuminating orbs on to our streets to join a range of other energy zapping measures already saving us money such as solar powered bus stops and shelters," the Mayor concluded.