Integrative Solid-State Lighting & Heating: An Application Case Study of Self-De-Icing LED Signal
Approximately 70-80% of the electricity consumed by LEDs is converted to heat rather than light, but this significant amount of LED heat is rarely harnessed in practice and wasted. This is a concern considering the desired optimization of whole lighting system efficiency and environmental sustainability. Thus, the development of integrative solid-state lighting and heating (SSL&H) technologies is necessary and their implementation in practice is also considered in urgent need. Toward that end, a novel system architecture of �Integrated Light and Heat Arrangement of Low Profile Light-Emitting Diode Fixture� (Patent No. US 10,215,441 B2) was developed for integrative solid-state lighting and heating. As an application of that embodiment, a new type of self-de-icing LED signal for highway intersections was developed as a replacement for existing LED signal lights that remain too cold to prevent snow, sleet, and ice buildup on the lens and could cause accidents in snowy conditions. Prototype self-de-icing signal LED modules (R, Y, G) were developed and tested in the laboratory, followed by closed-course performance and reliability tests on the roof of an engineering building and long-term field tests. The ongoing field tests of fully functional prototypes at selected highway signalized intersections in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Michigan would help project partners and state departments of transportation evaluate and initiate the implementation process. Participating states include Kansas, California, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Additionally, the initial development of the self-de-icing LED signal was supported by the TRB-IDEA program in the Joint IDEA Project S-29/NCHRP-190 for self-deicing LED signal for railroads and highway intersections.