To: Professor Nicholas Otte

From: CCNY English students Bianca Garcia, Elizabeth Palacios, Nauman Ali

Date: 20 October 2020

Subject: Matter of contention of streetlights

Purpose

The objective of this report is to analyze the issue of insufficient streetlights. This memo explains with details a few solutions to solve this problem. The main aim is to elaborate on why solar streetlights should be implemented throughout NYC instead of Governor Cuomo’s’ installation program for LED streetlights. The matter we should be focusing on is the earth’s condition for long term stability.  

Background

As new technology advancement has been on a rapid growth rate in recent years, it is necessary to implement these innovations into our community. Streetlights are essential to function at its perfection within New York City. It is beneficial to have a good streetlight system, which includes improving security and safety, saving taxpayer money, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “A streetlight is a Luminescent lighting system used on roads, streets and public squares. It usually starts to shine at night or in the dark and goes out after dawn”. (HEPETECH). Adding Street lights to neighborhoods can reduce the risks of accidents during nighttime, reduce crimes, and protect buildings and property owners from getting robbed, and it can be helpful for the environment.

Current Position 

The city is attempting to install approximately 500,000 LED Street lights through the five boroughs. New York City can benefit from the installation of LED streetlights. According to Governor Cuomo, he plans to install 500,000 energy-saving- LED streetlights by 2025. This new infrastructure will benefit the earth as it will reduce 40% of the climate’s emission by 2030, and it will also save the state money. The new installation will save 482 gigawatts annually, which is the same as power, approximately 45,000 households. In other words, it will save taxpayers 87 million dollars that could be used for further improvements towards the state. To sum up, the program will save taxpayers money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the quality of light, therefore improving communities’ safety. The SMART technology in the LED streetlights will allow access to WIFI, weather sensors, safety cameras, and energy meters. 

Recommendation 

Although the current plan is beneficial to the citizens, the earth should be prioritized. For this reason, installing solar energy-based streetlights instead of LEDs will lower greenhouse emission at a greater rate than LEDs. Solar-powered streetlights will still secure the people, including benefits for the earth, as climate change has been increasing slowly through the years. Choosing to use solar power would work year-round without manual repairs, and any work once installed. A solar panel can absorb solar energy during the day, producing light for 2-3 nights long. The use of solar power can bring down the use of electric energy and lessen the bills. Solar panels can last up to 25-30 years. In the article “Can Street Lighting Reduce Crime” by urban labs, we know that crime decreased in public housing developments by 36% when the lighting was increased. We believe NYC itself would benefit from solar lighting as it will include the same benefits of LED and enhance the earth’s wellness.

Overall Stance

To conclude, having energy that comes directly from the sun is cheap and economical. The state will provide more streetlights in high crime rate neighborhoods, improving the safety and security of people in the communities. The addition of more Street lights in areas can reduce the risks of accidents during nighttime, reduce illegal activity, and protect buildings and property owners from robbery. The solar-powered system lasts up to 30 years. Including the same SMART technology that the standard LED streetlight would provide, but the energy source would be from the sun; saving electricity and money. 

Citation Page:

Mars Solar LED Street Light Factory. “What Is the Benefits of Solar Street Lights?” Medium, Medium, 22 Sept. 2018, medium.com/@masitaiyangneng/what-is-the-benefits-of-solar-street-lights-203df4820371. 

Pereira, Ivan. “LED Streetlight Conversion in NYC More than 70%.” AmNewYork, 26 Sept. 2017, www.amny.com/news/led-streetlight-conversion-in-nyc-more-than-70-1-14280026/. 

Ashish BatraFollowGeneral Manager (Architecture and Planning) at Total Synergy Consulting Private LimitedLike23Comment6ShareLinkedInFacebookTwitter0. “Street Lighting and Urban Design.” LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/pulse/street-lighting-urban-design-ashish-batra. 

Chalfin, Aaron, and Benjamin Hansen. “Projects Can Street Lighting Reduce Crime?.” Edited by Jason Lerner and Lucie Parker, Can Street Lighting Reduce Crime? | UChicago Urban Labs, 29 Apr. 2019, urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/projects/crime-lights-study. 

“Governor Cuomo Announces Smart Street Lighting NY Program for All Municipalities Across the State.” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, 21 Feb. 2018, www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-smart-street-lighting-ny-program-all-municipalities-across-state.  S. Sarkar, K. Mohan and P. Vankhande, “Smart street-lighting using green energy designing a novel stand-alone solar powered lighting system,” 2017 International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Control Systems (ICICCS), Madurai, 2017, pp. 157-163, doi: 10.1109/ICCONS.2017.8250701