Citation

Richards SH. Transp. Res. Rec. 1981; 811: 23-25.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In early 1973, the continuous roadway lighting on the southbound main lanes of Interstate 35 through Austin, Texas, was turned off as a power-saving measure in response to a critical area energy shortage. Analyses of accident data revealed that this cutback in roadway lighting significantly increased the frequency, rate, and severity of nighttime accidents in the affected freeway sections. The most notable increases were associated with a sharp rise in nighttime rear-end and pedestrian-related accidents. The cutback in roadway lighting saved approximately 450000 kW-h of electrical power per year, enough to maintain 20 all-electric homes of average size for the same time period. In terms of energy cost savings to the city, this reduction amounted to $25,250/year. In addition, estimated savings of $2500/year in lamp-replacement costs were realized through the cutback. However, increases in accident costs after the lighting cutback were conservatively estimated to be slightly less than $17,000/year. Therefore, although positive energy conservation gains were made through the lighting cutback, these gains were accompanied by a measurable decrease in motorist safety.