New lights being installed at the City’s traffic signals have resulted in significant energy savings and a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The technology called LED (Light Emitting Diode) have been installed in all vehicle and pedestrian displays.

In 2003, the City’s Transportation Division completed a pilot project in conjunction with the Toronto Atmospheric fund, using the new technology at 10 locations. The study determined that the new lighting resulted in an 84 per cent reduction in energy used.

All new signals are being equipped with the new LED. All existing traffic signals have been converted to LED.

The conversion to the new technology will pay immediate dividends. The new lights will save more than 18 million kilowatt hours a year, providing an energy savings of about $1.8 million annually. In addition, a reduction of five million kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is projected as a result of the new lighting.

With energy savings on everyone’s mind these days, these new lights are one part of the City’s efforts to reduce energy usage.