Mitterndorf im Mürztal: has become the first town in Europe to adopt LED street lighting as a complete solution throughout the whole road infrastructure. Although the local authority expressed concerns regarding the initial investment, the long-term energy, cost and maintenance savings available with LED street lighting made it an effective and attractive option. The council has installed 600 Indal Stela LED lights, which produce savings of 23,000 Euros and 48 metric tons CO2 annually.
From the outset, the benefits of LED street lighting sounded tempting to Walter Berger, major on Mitterndorf im Mürztal: "This is an environmentally friendly technology that delivers brighter, safer roads and a significant cost reduction. It's almost too good to be true. At first only one street with twenty Indal Stela street lights was selected for a pilot scheme. Once installed, the residents were asked if the modern appearance of the lights were in keeping with the traditional surroundings of Mitterndorf im Mürztal and whether the white LED lightwas satisfactory to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
After running the trial for a year-long period, Walter Berger stated the council had only received positive feedback: "We were simply overwhelmed by the encouraging responses we received. Stela uses less than one third of the energy consumption of traditional street lighting yet perform three times efficiently. The modern design has also been received extremely well. For us was clear that we should make the change as quickly as possible and utilise this road lighting of the future throughout Mitterndorf im Mürztal."
A recent EU guideline prohibits the use of high-pressure mercury vapour lamps from April 2015, a ruling that aided the decision for the council to change to LED technology.
Whereas the local authority could have taken longer to implement the change over, the pilot scheme had demonstrated the inefficient of the existing street lights. Stela will reduce carbon emissions by 48 metric tons per year, the same quantity emitted by 18 mid-sized cars, and make energy and maintenance savings of at least 22,500 Euros per year, which means the cost of purchase and installation of Stela can easily be financed from the savings.
The council has installed 600 Indal Stela LED lights, which produce savings of 23,000 Euros and 48 metric tons CO2 annually
Considerable improvement to security In the past, Mitterndorf im Mürztal council switched off every second street light in order to make cost savings. This activity is unfavorable with motorists, whose eyes must constantly readjust to the changes in lighting levels, making driving hazardous. Stela LED street lights have a variable dimmer function, which keeps the level of light constant. The white light emitted by LED street lights provides considerably improved light rendition compared to the traditional yellow light of sodium steam or similar lamps. This improves personal safety, especially for children, security and the fear of crime.
Thanks to REVOLED and DIRECTA patented lens technology, individual LEDs are directed to where the brighter light is needed. This reduces light spill so it doesn't shine into bedrooms or cause light pollution. While a traditional street lights lose approximately 14% of the light upwards, Stela loses less than 0.5%. This is an advantage for astronomers, pilots, insects, and nocturnal animals which orientate themselves by the natural light of the moon and stars. A resident living in a road where Stela has recently been installed is very pleased with the new street lights stating that: "The LED lighting is a huge improvement for residents, pedestrians and drivers alike.
