Modern cities worldwide are doing as much as they can to stay ahead of the curve. From bike-friendly cities to eco-friendly roads, there are untold opportunities across every sector of civil construction to bring urban centres into the future. As one of the leading sustainable countries in the world, New Zealand has the opportunity to go even further by creating highly liveable cities that support sustainable initiatives and enhance the quality of life.
One of those opportunities is hiding in a place many wouldn’t expect: our street lights. Implementing smart street lighting systems in our cities can propel us further into the future, supporting the sustainability and liveability goals that enable Aotearoa to stand out on the world stage.
At TSL, we cut our teeth on traffic and street light maintenance, but have since evolved into implementing some of the most innovative smart lighting technologies on the market for Kiwi cities. That’s why we’re dedicating this post to unpacking the advantages of smart street light systems.
Read on for a full breakdown of these and the benefits they can offer cities in Aotearoa.
What Are Smart Street Lighting Systems?
A smart street lighting system is a big step up from traditional street lights. Instead of operating on a fixed schedule, these lights are equipped with sensors, automation, and wireless communication, allowing them to adjust in real time based on movement, weather, and other environmental factors.
Think of it this way: rather than street lights staying on full brightness all night (even when no one’s around), smart lights can dim when streets are empty and brighten when needed. Some even come with built-in monitoring systems that alert maintenance teams when something’s not working.
More and more cities worldwide are adopting smart street lighting to make their streets safer, cleaner, and more liveable. But why bring a system like this to the shores of Aotearoa?
Two of our country’s top priorities are sustainability and liveability. Implementing smart lighting can help save money, improve public safety, and reduce our carbon footprint by significant margins (especially when we combine them with other eco-friendly civil construction techniques like increased bike lanes). Let’s explore these benefits further below.
What Are the Advantages of Smart Street Light Systems?
Saves Money on Power and Maintenance
Smart street lights are energy-efficient by design. They use LED technology, which already consumes less power than traditional bulbs. However, the real savings come from their ability to adjust brightness based on real-time conditions.
For example, if a road is empty, the lights can dim to a lower level, cutting down on wasted energy. Because the system is automated, there’s no need for costly manual inspections. Any faults or malfunctions are reported instantly, so maintenance crews can fix issues before they become bigger problems.
This feature translates into huge cost savings for councils and ratepayers.
Improves Public Safety
Well-lit streets are safer streets. Smart lighting helps prevent accidents by ensuring pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers have better visibility at key moments. If someone is walking through a dimly lit area, motion sensors can detect movement and instantly brighten the lights, providing extra security.
Smart lights can also help Kiwi citizens be safer by being connected to emergency response systems. In the event of an accident or crime, authorities can remotely brighten an area, making it easier for first responders to act quickly even in the midst of a busy downtown evening.
Supports a Greener Future for Kiwis
One of Aotearoa’s hallmarks as a country is its commitment to sustainability, and the implementation of a smart street light system is just another step in that direction.
These lights can help reduce energy waste by encouraging the switch to long-lasting LED bulbs, which consume less energy and require replacements far less frequently than standard street lights. Smart lighting technology also minimises light pollution and consumes much less power, helping to keep Kiwi skies clearer.
Helps Local Councils Make Smarter Decisions
Smart street lights can do more than light up our roads. Some models are equipped with sensors that collect valuable data that councils can use to improve urban planning. These sensors are environmental, sensing things like traffic flow, air quality, and even shifts in ambient light or temperature, all of which can help councils improve safety and liveability around the city.
Most importantly, smart traffic signals can help to reduce congestion across the city by adjusting signals based on real-time data, which is a massive asset in urban bottlenecks.
Let Smart Infrastructure Transform Your Next Project
Whether you need to keep your sector running with traffic light maintenance or you’re exploring your options for implementing smart infrastructure, the team at TSL can help. We have over twenty years of experience installing and maintaining traffic signals, and our strong connections across the traffic management industry make us a major asset to everyone we work with.
If you’re looking for ways to transform your next civil construction project, enquire now. No matter what you’re after, we’re here to help.