As much as they may frustrate or infuriate us, traffic lights are an indispensable part of urban, and even suburban, transportation. Over the past few weeks, South Africa’s regular blackouts-and incapacitated traffic lights-have tormented motorists: in Johannesburg, for example, they have often prolonged daily commutes to up to three times their normal length. Byproducts of the country’s overstrained grid, these power outages have become so frequent and so prevalent that officials have declared them a “national emergency.”
In response, South African officials have unveiled a plan to convert all traffic and public lights in the country to solar power (with battery backup), removing them from the grid . While the idea isn’t new-India implemented a similar program over a year ago, albeit on a far smaller scale-the project is noteworthy for its magnitude and for its scope. Part of the Electricity Regulation Act, a larger, nationwide effort to reduce energy wastage and to provide for emergency electricity rationing, the solar traffic light conversion is but one of many initiatives aimed at energy efficiency. The traffic light project alone is projected to cost about R400 million (roughly $55.6 million US). Still, public support is fairly high: public and private sector stakeholders have already pledged R40 million ($5.6 million US), with possibly more to come. The Electricity Regulation Act is a striking example of what good can emerge from a desperate situation-it would be fascinating to see what South Africa will look like a decade from now.
Although a similar project is unlikely to gain momentum in the States anytime soon, the South African energy initiatives certainly merit some attention, and could inspire developments more suited to American infrastructures. Unlike in South Africa, solar-powered traffic lights may not drastically reduce gridlock here, and the conversion would carry a significantly higher price tag. Still, we shouldn’t rule out the idea of solar traffic lights in only major cities, or solar billboards. Any ideas?
I think where it would make most sense to start fully implementing all kinds of municipal solar-powered gadgets (like these traffic lights, but also streetlights, trash compactors, maybe even electric street washers and trash collectors) would be in planned communities. I’m not a huge advocate of them in general, but the new breed of master planned communities–in which green spaces, schools, shopping, and business districts are included in the plans from the outset–might provide excellent testing ground. The cost of the technology could be built into the plans from the ground up, and their success could inspire neighboring, older communities to follow their lead. It’s just one thought.
Since the technology is around and proven–and long-term savings undeniable–I hardly think there’s an excuse at this point for not using solar-powered alternatives where available. Some municipalities are catching on:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/florida_town_in.php
http://www.gazette.net/stories/012408/laurnew132853_32362.shtml
Also, it’s good to see that Africa is looking at solar options domestically, as well as at the possibly lucrative future of exporting solar energy to Europe.