Dunedin plans to use amber LED street lighting

The trend of universally using white LED street lights for lighting around the world is already evident, but one city is considering not complying with this trend.

Dunedin, the second largest city in New Zealand's South Island, is looking for the possibility of installing amber LED lighting that looks similar to current low-pressure sodium lighting.

City councillors have watched the demonstration of amber LEDs, and now have to decide whether to install white LEDs or amber LEDs in the coming months. The government has set aside 12 million New Zealand dollars (about 55.43 million RMB) for a 10-year LED street lighting plan.

The decision was due to concerns about the possible health effects of white LED street lights. Michael Broughton, a member of the local Dark Skies Group, is pushing for amber LEDs. He expressed concern about light pollution and hoped that the city council could adopt amber LED lighting. He believed that amber light had little effect on humans, wildlife and the night sky.

Broughton stressed that there is still no perfect option because all LED street lights have drawbacks.

If Dunedin uses amber LED streetlights, it will be another city after Flagstaff, Arizona. Previously, the city of Flagstaff decided to use amber LEDs in order to minimize light pollution.