LED Runway Landing Lights
New Technology Pilots Major Energy Savings
- Steve Leinweber, Lighting Design Lab Lighting Specialist

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Maintenance Savings

Considering lamp-life and the amount of labor involved changing out lamps over the life of a luminaire costs can get pretty expensive. The existing incandescent lamps used in airport runway lighting are rated at 8,000 hours. The LED lamps are rated at 100,000 hours. Labor cost can be extensive to maintain an existing incandescent lamp system. Rising energy cost make it paramount to look at all potential improvements to reduce energy use

Importance of Color Standards

This color chromaticity diagram (right) illustrates the FAA required intensity of color (marked within the black borders) that lamps must provide to satisfy their specifications. Notice the red is not a point but a range. The numbers surrounding the diagram represent nanometers, or the frequency range of the color wavelengths. Specifications are different for other entities such as, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Institute of Transport Engineers, the American Boating and Yacht Committee, and the Association of American Railroads.

Figure4: FAA US Color Limits

Source: GE-GelCore

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