14,400 traditional lighting units have been replaced with eco-friendly LED lights, as part of a major upgrade carried out by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The upgrade project included the renovation of 39 tunnels and crossings, spanning 22.6km, the RTA stated.
The RTA said it was deeply committed to energy conservation and strengthening Dubai and the UAE’s green economy and sustainability, besides promoting a clean environment. The RTA is committed to implementing the best international practices to achieve financial sustainability through optimal utilisation and extension of the lifespan of its assets, the firm explained.
The project entailed re-engineering the operating systems of tunnel lighting units and night road crossings, with sustainable, eco-friendly lights, said the RTA.
“We recently renovated the lighting for 39 tunnels. This six-month project entailed some of Dubai’s prominent tunnels including the Airport Tunnel, Shindagha Tunnel, Dubai Mall Tunnel, and the Dubai World Trade Centre Tunnel,” explained Maitha bin Adai, CEO of Traffic and Roads Agency, at RTA.
She continued, “LED lighting units have many eco-friendly features, such as consuming 60% less energy than traditional lighting units and offering an increased lifespan by up to 177% in comparison to older lights. The new lights have a lifespan of 50,000 hours, compared to 18,000 hours for conventional lighting units, which reduces the frequency of lights replacements and minimizes maintenance and operational costs. Furthermore, compared to traditional lamps there’s a 20% reduction in energy loss and heat emissions, enhancing the efficiency of both the units’ lighting operational system and the tunnels’ energy supply network.”
According to bin Adai, the RTA had carefully evaluated the level of brightness and colour clarity inside Dubai’s tunnels when installing the new lighting units, to ensure optimal visibility for road users, consequently enhancing traffic safety.
“The LED lighting units offer a lighting intensity of 6,000 lumens compared to 4,000 lumens for older lamps, improving the lighting quality. These units do not include environmentally harmful chemicals, like mercury found in traditional lights, which serves RTA and Dubai’s vision of achieving environmental sustainability,” she concluded.