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How Smart Cell Poles Improve CA Highways and Roads

municipal LED lighting

Smart Cell Poles Offer Cites a Bright Future

As California’s department of transportation, Caltrans, adopts new technology like LED lighting, the state’s drivers stand to benefit. And at Great Basin Lighting, we’re excited for what Caltrans LED lighting and ancillary technology may bring to the state’s roadways. Here’s a look at a few of the possible perks.

Improved Safety

Caltrans has cited improved safety as a key motivation for its adoption of LED lights. A key reason LED lighting systems bring higher safety levels is their robust nature: Because they last many years, burned-out lights—which cause dark spots on roadways—are much less common.

Improved Traffic Flow

Another benefit of Caltrans approved lighting poles with LED bulbs is their positive effect on traffic flow. Their aforementioned long life span means that fewer lane closures for maintenance projects are necessary, helping keep traffic moving. As a side bonus, since maintenance workers don’t need to spend as much time changing bulbs, they can focus on other projects, further helping the condition of the state’s roadways.

Energy-Related Benefits

Because LED light fixtures require less energy, they generate much less in the way of greenhouse gasses, so they are friendlier to the environment than other lighting systems. Additionally, those lower energy needs translate to lower energy costs, helping ease budgetary concerns and allowing for money to be routed elsewhere.

Smart Tech Benefits

Depending on how Caltrans and municipalities implement smart lighting networks, there may be even more benefits at hand. It remains to be seen how much smart lighting technology affects California’s highways, but certain cities are already adopting it.

Additionally, because LED bulbs themselves are small, light poles have room to carry tools for other purposes. For instance, small cell poles in California’s cities can potentially monitor traffic conditions and detect hazards, in turn letting authorities warn drivers, reroute traffic, and send crews to fix problems more quickly.

Lighting can also adapt to changing road conditions; for instance, the same pole might put out more light on a moonless night and less light when conditions are naturally brighter. That both helps drivers and lowers energy usage when possible.

Learn More About Smart Cell 5g in California

California’s roadways have much to gain from Caltrans uptake of new lighting systems, and municipalities can benefit, too. The best news is that in many cases, new light pole installations aren’t even necessary: Caltrans, for instance, can retrofit many existing light poles to brighten its roadways. Contact the lighting professionals at Great Basin Lighting, a west coast outdoor LED lighting company, to learn more about smart cell and green outdoor lighting solutions.