Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

G1-10: Portable LED Tower Lighting

DESCRIPTION:

High-efficiency light emitting diode (LED) flood lamps mounted on portable trailers or moving equipment provide improved visibility within nighttime work zones. LED units have significantly reduced power demands, have a longer lifespan, and are more easily configurable to reduce glare for traffic operating adjacent to the work zone. They are cost effective as compared to high intensity discharge lamps, and parts availability for on-site maintenance is improving as distributors are increasingly expanding into LED products. LED tower lights are lightweight relative to incandescent lighting units and can be mounted between 14 and 16 feet high and aimed down directly on the work zone surface area, reducing glare and spillover.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

LED fixtures offer significant advantages over traditional work zone lighting in terms of ease of use, durability and maintenance requirements, and greater control over lighting quality. Alternative lighting solutions utilizing incandescent fixtures, such as balloon lighting, require high-power ballasts (up to 4000 watts) and fragile metal halide or high pressure sodium bulbs which require special care in transport and setup, and frequent replacement. They also generate significant heat which can be problematic in some construction environments and requires adequate cool-down prior to removal and storage. Additionally, studies have also shown that typical balloon lighting frequently exceeds glare thresholds, which can impede motorist visibility while traveling through a work zone area. Balloon lighting also distributes light in all directions, including places where it is not useful or warranted (e.g., the roadside or sky); LED fixtures provide better control of light distribution by individual luminaires which can improve lighting in the work zone while reducing spillover and glare. LED lamps offer a more cost-effective and practical alternative to these traditional work zone lighting methods.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Portable LED Tower Lighting can provide a higher quality of work zone lighting for lower cost. LED luminaires also offer greater durability and less susceptibility to inclement weather than traditional incandescent lighting methods.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

Portable LED lighting is suitable for most short-term and intermediate-term lane or road closures. Their use is discouraged during long-term closures due to daily setup requirements.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Indiana, New Jersey, New York

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Mischa Kachler, Supervisor WZ Safety Section, Indiana DOT
Phone: (317) 899-8604
E−mail: Mkachler@indot.in.gov