1) Street lamps are expensive to operate and maintain, as electricity prices continue to increase and costs for changing bulbs are realized frequently. This is energy inefficient and is a detrimental expense to city budgets.
2)
- GE has created a super-efficient LED street lamp that can last 20 years
- These lamps are capable of video monitoring and have weather and light sensors
- Can save 50-70% of electricity costs compared with traditional bulbs
- Can be useful for monitoring traffic and safety concerns; useful for transportation planners and crime prevention
- Bulbs will not need to be changed nearly as frequently as traditional bulbs.
http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/16/ge-spotlights-new-smart-street-lamps/
3) This technology is great for cities that have ambitious sustainability goals and for all municipalities as it is will be cost-beneficial in the long-run.
4) This technology can be adopted by procuring the new light fixtures. The creation of a federal grant program for municipalities may be one strategic way of increasing the rate at which this is adopted throughout the country.