http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091211-led-lights,0,3727265.story
Going "green" causes problem for public works crews in West Bend
Justin Williams FOX 6 Reporter
December 11, 2009
WITI-TV, WEST BEND - New technology can provide new solutions and new problems. In West Bend, the energy-saving traffic lights are giving public works crews something more to do in the cold. They're also giving drivers a new reason to be careful.
All of the snow we had this week formed a white cap on a lot of the traffic lights in West Bend. The old incandescent lights usually provided enough warmth to melt away those snow caps. But the new LED lights generate hardly any heat. Therefore, the snow stays and prevents drivers from seeing the signals.
The LED light problem led to a crash at the intersection of Westwood and Washington in West Bend.
Four, two-person crews spent Friday using make-shift scrapers to clear the LED lights of the snow.
West Bend officials say the LED traffic lights [strike]say[/strike] save the city nearly $100 a month at each of its 24 intersections.
Honestly, it's an oddball problem and a rarity, but it's still an example of not thinking things all the way through. Interesting challenge for some engineer.
Going "green" causes problem for public works crews in West Bend
Justin Williams FOX 6 Reporter
December 11, 2009
WITI-TV, WEST BEND - New technology can provide new solutions and new problems. In West Bend, the energy-saving traffic lights are giving public works crews something more to do in the cold. They're also giving drivers a new reason to be careful.
All of the snow we had this week formed a white cap on a lot of the traffic lights in West Bend. The old incandescent lights usually provided enough warmth to melt away those snow caps. But the new LED lights generate hardly any heat. Therefore, the snow stays and prevents drivers from seeing the signals.
The LED light problem led to a crash at the intersection of Westwood and Washington in West Bend.
Four, two-person crews spent Friday using make-shift scrapers to clear the LED lights of the snow.
West Bend officials say the LED traffic lights [strike]say[/strike] save the city nearly $100 a month at each of its 24 intersections.
Honestly, it's an oddball problem and a rarity, but it's still an example of not thinking things all the way through. Interesting challenge for some engineer.
