Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Casey Toomay, Brandon McGuire
DATE:	February 8, 2017
RE:	CMR – LED Lights

The City has been converting to LED technology for a few years.  We own approximately 1200 street light fixtures at roundabouts, intersections, and downtown.

When dealing with roadway lighting the City has used the recommended practices and guidelines provided by Illuminating Engineering Society.  Currently the City has been using 4000K.  There is no doubt that the LED lighting provides a better light than the previous HPS mercury vapor or metal halide fixtures and use less energy. 

Over the last year the Facility Conservations Improvement project replaced/upgraded many City owned lights to LED technology including:

- 300 outdoor sports field lights

- Approximately 100 pedestrian pathway lights completing the conversion of the downtown

- Parking lots at the Community Health Facility, and Riverfront and New Hampshire parking garages

On October 10^th the City Commission received public comment from Mr. Adrian Millot about concern of the installation of light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

Over the last several months, City staff and Commissioners have received communications from citizens with questions and concerns about the conversion to LED lights – both as part of the City’s Facilities Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) project, and the Westar-owned streetlight conversion.  Here’s an update on recent conversations:

• On September 1^st, City staff involved in the FCIP program met with Westar Energy representatives and a group of concerned citizens (the Lawrence Alliance for Responsible Lighting).

• It was a productive meeting with good information shared.  The citizen groups’ main concern is that the color temperature (measured in Kelvins) for outdoor lights should be less than 3,000K.  They cite studies that have found human health and wildlife impacts from lights higher on the spectrum. 

o The City FCIP project lighting is complete. We have created some FAQs and other resources on our website to keep citizens informed of our progress and some of the issues:  https://lawrenceks.org/fcip/

o The following illustration provides a comparison of the different light sources.

• The lights that the City and Westar are installing are 4,000K, a slightly bluer light.

o The 4,000K light has been the industry standard for outdoor light retrofits as it tends to provide better safety and visibility.

• Televisions, computer monitors, and cell phones operate between 5,000K – 9,000K.

• A complaint with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) was filed objecting to Westar’s LED retrofit project (attached).

• Westar has replaced approximately 60% of the 3,900 streetlights in the community.

• Westar has adopted the LED light color temperature of 4,000K as the industry standard.

• Westar’s response to the KCC is attached.

• The City’s lighting code has not been updated since the mid 90’s, prior to the widespread adoption of LED technologies.

• The lighting code will not address Westar owned streetlights.

• On November 7, 2017, the City Commission received a City Manager report.

• On November 21, 2017, during public comment the City Commission received a request from LARL for the City to pass an ordinance setting standards for outdoor lights.

• January 19, 2018, City meets with LARL, Westar, KU Facility, Lawrence/Douglas County Health Department, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

There are a number of studies available.  Many of these studies look at the overall benefits/differences between the old lighting technologies and the LED’s.  Those studies mostly agree that the LED’s provide a superior lighting.

What is not as decisive and supported is:  What is the correct/recommended correlated color temperature (CCT).  The American Medical Association (AMA) is recommending a CCT of 3000K or less.  However other national organizations have questions about the AMA recommendation.  Those organizations agree with the AMA’s support of the proper conversion of outdoor area and roadway lighting to LED light sources to reduce energy consumption, with proper optics and shielding to reduce glare and light trespass. 

Where everyone differs is the recommendation of a specific CCT of 3000K or less.  Other organizations believe the data is not sufficient to make a specific recommendation and more research is needed.  Other factors that may affect the health impacts is the duration of exposure, distance from the light source, and one’s own physiology. 

The bottom line is LED lighting should be installed with prudence as with any other lighting; minimizing discomfort to individuals and only light what is necessary.