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Title:

EFFECTS OF TURNING OFF SELECTED ROADWAY LIGHTING AS AN ENERGY CONSERVATION MEASURE

Accession Number:

00345318

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309032520

Abstract:

In early 1973, the continuous roadway lighting on the southbound main lanes of Interstate 35 through Austin, Texas, was turned off as a power-saving measure in response to a critical area energy shortage. Analyses of accident data revealed that this cutback in roadway lighting significantly increased the frequency, rate, and severity of nighttime accidents in the affected freeway sections. The most notable increases were associated with a sharp rise in nighttime rear-end and pedestrian-related accidents. The cutback in roadway lighting saved approximately 450000 kW-h of electrical power per year, enough to maintain 20 all-electric homes of average size for the same time period. In terms of energy cost savings to the city, this reduction amounted to $25,250/year. In addition, estimated savings of $2500/year in lamp-replacement costs were realized through the cutback. However, increases in accident costs after the lighting cutback were conservatively estimated to be slightly less than $17,000/year. Therefore, although positive energy conservation gains were made through the lighting cutback, these gains were accompanied by a measurable decrease in motorist safety. (Author)

Supplemental Notes:

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Visibility. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Monograph Accession #:

00362058

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Richards, Stephen H

Pagination:

pp 23-25

Publication Date:

1981

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 811
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0309032520

Media Type:

Print

Features:

References (3) ; Tables (2)

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Created Date:

Jan 29 1982 12:00AM

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