Bye bye sodium...hello clouds and rain

[darthvader]

So, the new streetlamps have started to be installed in the village and I've got to say, so far so good.

The new LED's can hardly be seen from a even a short distance away (from the side or behind the lamp) which is a great improvement on the old sodium lamps.

They've currently only replaced about 6, probably another 40 to do but the escaping light is a lot less than I thought it would be.

Fortunately, part of the village is in a conservation area so they have had to keep the light heights relatively low (5 metres I think) and will also paint them black. Oh, and they are dimmed twice, although I can't remember at what times (possibly 9th and 12pm)

and of course now the work is underway the weather has taken a turn for the worse..

[darthvader]

*That should say 9pm and 12pm

[xtreemchaos]

thats good news mate, i wish thay would do the ones in my village. its cloudy here in south wales too.  clear skys  charl.

[pellwood]

Our council (South Gloucester) have replaced our street lights with LEDs recently and are applying the following policy

Sunset + 15 mins] to 00:00 AM 75% output

00:00 AM to 01:00 AM 50% output

01:00 AM to 05:00 AM 0% outout - i.e. Lights off

05:00 AM to [sunrise - 15mins) 75% output

So if you're prepared to stay up a bit later (and its not cloudy) then you get reasonably darker local conditions which do improve the seeing somewhat.

These are national guidelines and there is even a British Standard for street lighting which councils are encouraged to adopt an it takes dimming and switching off into account, so its possible other councils will follow soon.

[laudropb]

Sounds good. We are just undergoing this process and I hope it is as successful as yours.

[darthvader]

unfortunately,several villagers were opposed to the lights being turned off altogether, even at 1am, so they will be at least 50% brightness even during the wee small hrs.

[bingevader]

That's bonkers!

Other than nutty astronomers, who else is up in the middle of the night?!

Shift workers are already in work.

And the teenagers don't stagger in from clubbing until 6am these days!

[Herra Kuulapaa]

It's a very method no

Our council (South Gloucester) have replaced our street lights with LEDs recently and are applying the following policy

Sunset + 15 mins] to 00:00 AM 75% output

00:00 AM to 01:00 AM 50% output

01:00 AM to 05:00 AM 0% outout - i.e. Lights off

05:00 AM to [sunrise - 15mins) 75% output

So if you're prepared to stay up a bit later (and its not cloudy) then you get reasonably darker local conditions which do improve the seeing somewhat.

These are national guidelines and there is even a British Standard for street lighting which councils are encouraged to adopt an it takes dimming and switching off into account, so its possible other councils will follow soon.

It's a nice setup you have. I need introduce this locally as well.