Traffic Signals Getting Energy-Efficient Bulbs

The city will be one of the first in the county to replace a portion

of its traffic signal light bulbs with energy-saving units approved earlier this year by Caltrans.

Next week, the city will replace 400 incandescent lamps citywide: 283 red lights, 45 red arrows and 72 pedestrian signals.

The new LED--light-emitting diode--disks will plug into special adapters that fit into existing bulb fixtures. The technology has not been developed yet for proper use of green or amber lights, officials said.

The City Council approved $21,869 to convert the signals. The city also will receive a $32,694 grant from San Diego Gas and Electric if the project is completed by Dec. 31.

William Huber, director of engineering and building, said the city expects the new disks to cut the cost of electricity for traffic signals by 35% to 40% a year.

“They will save us about $16,000 annually,” he said.

Additional savings will come from the life of the new disks. The city usually replaces bulbs every 12 to 18 months, Huber said.

The new light sources are expected to last from five to seven years.