LED Traffic Signals -

This program was begun approximately three years ago, and entailed the conversion of red and DON'T WALK pedestrian signals from incandescent lamps to light emitting diodes(LED). The LED technology provides longer life and consumes significantly less energy than incandescent lamps.

Working in conjunction with the utility division, Traffic Operations installed thousands of red LEDs and orange pedestrian signals to gain an annual savings of nearly $360,000 in labor and material costs. The LED signals generated energy rebates of more than $500,000 from Public Service Co. through their demand side energy management program in 1996.

The City has worked directly with LED signal manufacturers to develop and refine a product that meets the requirements of the travelling public in terms of signal visibility, long life, energy efficiency, and reduced maintenance.

The City and County of Denver received a national award from the U.S. EPA's Green Lights program for energy conservation for this LED traffic signal conversion.

Traffic Engineering Services has received a number of inquiries from other Traffic agencies around the country to gain information on our LED retrofit program. Traffic Operations is continuing with this program, and is in the process of evaluating new green LED traffic signals for the next retrofit project.

Florescent Yellow-Green School and Crossing Signs -

In the late fall of 1998, Traffic Engineering Services, began to replace school zone advance and crossing signs in twelve low income neighborhoods. Existing signs were old, faded, and in many instances damaged from graffiti. Many of the signs were twenty or more years old, well past their useful life.

The retro-reflectivity of these signs was practically worn out. Earlier in 1998, the federal government approved a new yellow-green florescent color for non-motorized crossings and school zones. This new color was developed to provide more visibility for the identification of pedestrian and other non-motorized crossings, including school zones. The increased sign visibility, in turn, provides more warning for the motorist, and safer crossing conditions.

Traffic Engineering Services determined the new color and a new standard, larger sign size sign should replace the out of date signs. Traffic Engineering Services then ordered sign faces and blanks, and prepared the signs for installation. Staff field checked nearly forty schools within the twelve targeted neighborhoods, and prepared work orders for the sign replacements.

To date more than 600 yellow-green florescent signs have been installed. Traffic Engineering Services crews that normally are assigned to pavement markings during the warm weather months, are working on this sign replacement program during this winter. This program will continue until all of the approximately 2,000 school signs are replaced.

Additionally, the florescent yellow-green color has been used for signs installed at an established handicap crossing, and at a high volume pedestrian crossing near a day care center.