The trend of using white LED street lamps to illuminate all over the world is obvious, but one city is considering not following this trend.
Dunedin, the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, is looking to install amber LED lighting that looks similar to current low-pressure sodium lighting.
Councillors have watched demonstrations of amber LEDs and must now decide whether to install white LEDs or amber LEDs in the coming months. The government has set aside 12 million New Zealand dollars for a 10-year LED street lighting program.
This decision is due to concerns that white LED street lights may have an impact on health. Michael Broughton, a member of the local Dark Skies Group, pushed amber LEDs and he raised concerns about light pollution. He hopes that the City Council will adopt amber LED lighting because he believes that human, wild animals and the night sky have little effect.
Broughton emphasizes that there is no perfect option yet because all LED lights will have disadvantages.
If Dunedin uses amber LED street lights, it will be another city following Flagstaff, Arizona. Earlier, the city of Flagstaff decided to transition to amber LEDs in order to minimize light pollution.
