We're converting approximately 13,000 street, park, and parking lot lights from High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulbs to energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diodes (LED's)! In addition, a Smart Lighting Control system will be installed on the lights to improve operation and maintenance capabilities and provide a platform for future 'Smart City' applications.

Installation Update - May 2019

Installation of lights on local, collector and arterial roads is substantially complete. Installation of lights in parks and parking lots is expected to be completed by September 2019.

Installation of lights and smart controls

• All municipally-owned street, park and parking lot lights in Richmond Hill are being replaced with LED, except for decorative-style lights, sports field lights and trail lights located outside parks. 
• Crews are working from bucket trucks parked on the street to convert lights from HPS to LED. Each light takes less than half an hour to change. There will be no road closures and disruption to traffic will be kept to a minimum.
• Ameresco Canada Inc. and its subcontractors are responsible for the execution of this entire project including design, supply, installation, and commissioning of LED lights and the smart lighting control system. 

Why we're switching from HPS to LED lights

Cost and energy savings 

• LED lights consume 50 to 60% less energy, significantly reducing electricity costs.
• LED lights have a 20 year life expectancy (five times longer than HPS bulbs) reducing maintenance costs by up to 80%.

Better light quality 

• LEDs have superior light quality, making our community safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
• They have zero "up-light", reducing light pollution by directing all of the light on the ground.
• A detailed lighting design will be conducted for each street.  This will determine the wattage, orientation and light distribution pattern for each light pole to ensure light is only provided where required and in the right amount. 

Environmental benefits

• Conversion to LED's will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our outdoor lighting network by 300 tonnes per year- that's equivalent to taking 63 passenger cars off the road! 

What are smart lighting controls?

• Smart lighting controls installed on each new LED light will allow City staff to monitor and operate the lights remotely.  We'll be able to remotely dim and program the lights to further reduce energy consumption and costs. We'll also receive real-time notifications when a light is out.
• The smart lighting control system is a communication network that will allow the City to connect to 'smart cities' applications in the future.  Smart city applications can include such things as traffic lights, water and gas meters. 

Contact information

If you have any questions or concerns about the project you may contact the following City staff:

• Vlad Gaiu, Manager, Energy & Waste, 905-771-2524, vlad.gaiu@richmondhill.ca 
• Deepak Adhikari, Sustainable Energy Coordinator, 905-771-6384, deepak.adhikari@richmondhill.ca