LED Streetlights Upgrade

Background

The City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) presents that streetlights make up approximately 7% of the total municipal greenhouse gas emissions. Most streetlights in the City are high intensity discharge (HID) - an older inefficient lighting technology. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are a readily available and energy efficient alternative. Converting our streetlights to LED has been identified as a key action in the CAP to help pursue our community greenhouse gas reduction goals of 45% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. It will also result in reduced utility costs. Approximately 95% of streetlights in the City (~3,700 streetlights) are leased from Dominion Energy. This requires the City to work within Dominion’s framework for making changes to lighting, including requirements to select fixtures from Dominion’s LED inventory.

Funding for this project was approved in FY24.The City formed an internal stakeholder group to develop the strategy for implementing streetlight upgrades across Charlottesville including LED fixture selection, sequencing, coordination with Dominion Energy, and internal review process. In addition, the City engaged a streetlighting consultant to assist in reviewing Charlottesville’s inventory of streetlights and selecting appropriate LED fixtures. Variables that were considered include the lumen output, color temperature, BUG (backlight, uplight, glare) rating, and lighting pattern. Feedback from the consultant and local lighting industry professionals emphasized prioritizing a lower color temperature that provides a warmer light (3000K is lowest offered by Dominion) as it is expected to offer the best experience for drivers and pedestrians. Consistent with Dark Sky guidelines, the City is choosing lower lumen output while still providing adequate lighting and is ensuring all new LED fixtures have zero uplight. Although Dominion offers limited options for the lighting pattern, the City is endeavoring to choose lighting patterns that minimizes light trespass beyond the right of way.

LED Cobra Fixture that will be installed as part of this upgrade project. Image Source (LINK)

Duration and Sequencing

The entire streetlight upgrade project is expected to take three years to complete, beginning in late summer 2024. The project will be divided into two phases. Phase 1 will address lighting along larger roadways (as designated by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) (LINK)). This will include 250 Bypass, Emmett Street, 5th Street Extension, Preston Avenue, Market Street, Barracks Road, High Street, Meade Street, and JPA and will include other connector roads. This will capture the largest greenhouse gas reductions per fixture and offer the greatest opportunity for savings.

Phase 2 will include all other streetlights in the city, proceeding according to a grid structure, beginning at the center of the city and working outward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the City doing this project?

This project will reduce energy usage from streetlights and therefore will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a key objective from the City’s Climate Action Plan. Replacing the older HID technology streetlights with LED streetlights will achieve three additional benefits:

Improving the driver and pedestrian experience through higher clarity light and a more intentional and defined light pattern that LEDs offer;
Reducing streetlight outages due to longer life of LEDs;
Achieving cost savings as monthly lease payment to Dominion Energy for LEDs is less expensive than current HID lighting.

When will upgrades begin happening and how long will it take?

The first upgrade project associated with Phase 1 was completed in Fall 2024. After working with Dominion Energy to expand the inventory to include appropriate fixtures, the next project in Phase 1 is expected to start in late Summer 2025 with subsequent projects to follow to complete this phase over the course of a year (including approximately 1,000 fixtures). Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2026 and is expected to take 1.5 - 2 years to complete (target completion in 2028). The timeline is affected by material supply availability, Dominion staff availability, competing projects from other jurisdictions that are in Dominion’s queue, weather delays, and schedule coordination with other work on roadways.

Will there be any disruption to traffic or pedestrian access along the roadways during construction?

Dominion has indicated that replacement will take approximately 15 minutes per streetlight fixture providing minimal disruption to roadway traffic. The City does not anticipate closing any roadways for this work. Additionally, the City and Dominion will be working to schedule any streetlight upgrades along major roadways during off-peak hours.

Is the City taking into account ecological impacts when selecting lighting fixtures?

Yes. The color temperature and lumen output, which have a direct impact on nocturnal species have been vetted so that selection will prioritize lower color temperature and lower lumen output to reduce environmental and wildlife impacts.

Where do I get updates regarding the project?

Periodic updates on the project will be provided on this site and via the regular City Manager’s Report that is provide as part of the City Council agenda packet.

Where can I get more information about the lighting that is being installed?

Details and specifications about Dominion Energy’s current LED offerings that the City is selecting from can be found at https://www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/products/outdoor-lighting-requirements-and-resources.