DATE: February 1, 2016
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Vernon Gerth, Assistant City Administrator
Joe York, Streets Department Director
Andrew Orr, Principal Planner
SUBJECT:
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Conversion of High Mast Interstate Lights to LED (Light-emitting Diode) technology
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Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the potential conversion of high mast interstate lights to LEDs.
Background
Currently, the City has a total of 168 high mast interstate lights spread across 26 poles along I-65. Each pole has four, six, or eight lights. The City has high mast lights at the Moores Lane, Cool Springs Boulevard, McEwen Drive, and Murfreesboro Road interchanges. Currently, there are no high mast lights at the Goose Creek interchange. Three poles totaling 16 fixtures have already been converted to LEDs and are distinguished by their white light. The poles are located at the Moores Lane, Cool Springs Blvd, and Murfreesboro Road/I-65 interchanges.
In January 2013, the Streets Department purchased and installed six Holophane high mast LED lights on a pole at the Moores Lane and I-65 interchange. This site was selected for the test because the pole is on a sole source electric meter. In 2012, before the new lights were installed, the City spent $1,165 on electricity for the one pole near Moore's Lane (19,606 kWhs were consumed). In 2014, after LEDs were installed, the energy cost and usage dropped to $670 and 11,204 kWh. In addition to 43% savings, visibility and aesthetics were greatly improved.
Two years ago, the City considered retrofitting all of the high mast lights to LEDs. At that time, the price per unit was too high and the project did not make good financial sense. In 2015, Holophane introduced an updated version. The Holophane II LEDs are 20% more efficient and 30% less expensive than the Holophane G...
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