LED Traffic Lights Don't Melt Snow, Cause Danger

[Computer_Lots]

Hey, unemployment is high. They can just hire a bunch of bums to climb up there and wipe the snow off.

 

[maestintaolius]

[citation][nom]g00ey[/nom]This is news how? I've known about this for years by now.[/citation]
Yep, heck this issue was even a "Puzzler" riddle on Car Talk over a year ago.

 

[pollom]

nicrome wire

 

[MitchMeister-]

I noticed this two years ago. I called into a local radio station on the way to work notifying them that people were running red lights because the snow wasn't melting off of the lights, and the DJ was an idiot and mentioned that people we're sliding through intersections... not exactly what I said.

 

[Guest]

[citation][nom]Judguh[/nom]I could see this working in the south - generate no heat while requiring little electricity. Win-Win. But, that just goes to show ya the smarts of Canada[/citation]
Mhm so we now have 100% efficient changes in energy? Ummm if I recall in physics isn't there absolutely nothing that is 100% efficient for that matter. I perfect LED seems out of reach for the near future so you should revise your statement.

 

[swimrz]

In the article regarding this matter at the AP website (http/news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091215/ap_on_re_us/us_snow_covered_stoplights), an officer express that he doesn't believe the accident would have happened if the lights had been free of snow. I'm sure many of us don't pay attention while driving, but if there is no indication of it being your turn to proceed through the intersection the correct action is to stop and yield.
In my opinion, having the lights covered is not the cause of the accident, it is the fault of a driver not paying attention.

 

[lucianalucy]

ummm why don't they just leave the Green bulb as incandescent? The power savings would still be 66%, and the Green light is on the bottom of traffic lights: the warm bulb would melt at least the green light snow, and possible warm up the housing enough to keep somewhat clear the others...

And, visibility of one out of three instructions ain't bad.
Modern Lighting

 

[lucianalucy]

Yes, LEDs have this downside, but that doesn't make it a complete failure. Did you forget that LEDs last many times longer than incandescent lights? A lot fewer burnt out traffic lights = fewer accidents, right? Besides, the problem with the snow only affects those northern states, and only when it snows.

Thanks,
Modern Lighting | Mission Style Furniture

 

[Guest]

yes,I know that the stoplights are there, but if I didn't, it would have been very easy to fly right through them," one driver said. "And especially with the off ramp right on the interstate, it could be a very dangerous situation.
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