Toronto’s Exhibition Place brightens pedestrian pathway with LED lights

Exhibition Place LED Lighting Field Test

Eager to showcase green technologies and save on electrical costs, Toronto's Exhibition Place replaced 50 high-pressure sodium lampposts along a pedestrian walkway with light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The LED lights have motion detectors and brighten from a low default setting when someone is using the path.

A few new high-pressure sodium fixtures were installed for comparison. Over the test period, the LED lights used 77  per cent less energy than the sodium lights. They also had excellent light levels and uniformity of light.

While the old lights needed replacing every few years, the LED lights are expected to last 15 years. Their performance is being monitored. The city is considering converting all outdoor lights at Exhibition Place and all pathway lights in its parks to LED systems.

Results

Challenges

• Extra time was needed to consult on the design of the fixtures.
• The depreciation in the amount of light emitted by the LED lights over eight months was higher than expected, at 14.4 per cent.
• The true financial benefit of the LED lights will not be known until their lifespan is established.

Lessons learned

• Ensure all partners are aware of new regulations and requirements for energy-efficient projects.
• Involve all commissioning and energy consultants in preliminary stages to ensure the design meets the requirements.
• Use a standardized protocol, like the one developed by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, to assess the lights so data can be directly compared with other projects.

Resources

• Lightsavers' monitoring and evaluation protocol for LED lights

Partners and Collaborators

• FCM's Green Municipal Fund
• City of Toronto
• Exhibition Place
• Light Savers
• Toronto Atmospheric Fund

Project Contact

Dianne Young
Board of Governors of Exhibition Place
City of Toronto, ON
T. 416-263-3611