LED Streetlight Retrofit Program Frequently Asked Questions

Operating the City’s streetlights represents approximately 20 per cent of the City’s overall energy consumption. In keeping with the Service Excellence Strategic Plan (2018-2022) for Environmental Stewardship and Operational Performance, the City identified an opportunity for a significant reduction in energy consumption and savings in operating/maintenance costs through a City-wide LED Streetlight Retrofit Program.

The program began in October 2019 with all the background preparation work being carried out to allow for the installation of the new LED streetlights. As part of the initiation, LED lights were installed on Pleasant Ridge Avenue between Langstaff Road and Apple Blossom Drive to test the new LED lights and control system.

On completion of the testing, Phase 1 of the program was rolled out City-wide in December 2019 where approximately 20,000 streetlights were retrofitted/replaced with the new LED lights. This phase was substantially completed on December 31, 2020.

The program has two distinct phases,

• Phase 1 included all streets where changing the existing lights to LED will continue to light the street to current lighting standards.
• Phase 2 includes streets in the City where the street lighting was designed to the approved lighting standards that existed when they were installed. Lighting on these streets will be assessed to meet current lighting standards.

Municipally owned streetlights located on City of Vaughan streets and York Region roads were changed from the current streetlights to LED streetlights (excluding any streetlights attached to traffic signal poles operated by York Region).

Approximately 20,000 streetlights will be converted during Phase 1 of the City-wide LED Streetlight Retrofit Program.

LEDs last longer, are more reliable and will lower maintenance costs while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving roadway safety for pedestrians and drivers. LEDs have approximately 50 per cent lower energy consumption compared to the current bulbs and have a longer lifespan – about four times longer. This translates into ongoing savings in maintenance costs.

It is anticipated that approximately $1 million of cost savings will be achieved annually as a direct result of the energy savings.

Phase 1 of the project was pre-approved by Alectra Utilities in association with the Independent Electricity System Operator to receive a Save on Energy incentive of approximately $2 million. The total incentive will be determined upon project completion based on final retrofitted quantities.

The installation plan and schedule by area/community/block will be communicated on the City’s website and social media channels one month prior to the actual field installation. An interactive map showing approximate installation timelines of LED streetlights in your area is available on the Installation Schedule Map.

Residents and business owners may experience minor impacts, if any, as a result of the LED streetlight replacements. There will be no permanent construction sites as crews will be mobile during the installation phase and will advance rapidly from one street to the next. Proper traffic control will be in effect with clear signage directing motorists around the field crews.

Post-top style streetlights, sports field lights, pathway lights located inside and outside of parks, City-owned facility parking areas and streets in un-assumed subdivisions will not be included in the retrofit program. These areas will be revisited in subsequent phases.

The City-wide LED Streetlight Retrofit Program will include the installation of a networked lighting control system that will allow for remote monitoring, operation and maintenance of all LEDs through a web-enabled central management system. This provides accurate energy metering per streetlight, integrated GPS for real-time streetlight performance reporting and the ability to turn on, dim or turn off streetlights remotely. This will allow the City to take complete control of the streetlight system by delivering energy efficiency, flexibility and low-maintenance functionality.

In accordance with the City’s Noise By-law (062-2018) (PDF), installation will be restricted to happen between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, weather permitting. If necessary, weekend work may be scheduled to help speed up completion.

LED streetlights are more focused than traditional streetlights. More light will shine onto the street and sidewalks and less light will spill onto adjacent private property.

Light pollution happens when lights from cars, streetlamps or buildings make it difficult to see stars at night. LED streetlights generally produce less light pollution than the current streetlights because they are more focused, meaning the light will not spill out as much as the current streetlights do.

The light from an LED streetlight is slightly different than lighting from the current streetlights. The current streetlights produce a golden, orange or almost yellow colour while LED streetlights produce a warm white colour. LED streetlights may be perceived to be brighter because they emit a whiter colour than what you are used to seeing. LED streetlights increase contrast, provide much higher colour rendering and improve depth perception.

All existing streetlights will be removed and recycled in an environmentally safe manner in accordance with all applicable legislation and certification requirements.