Install LED (light-emitting diode) lighting and signals.
An airport operator may replace traditional runway, taxiway, parking, and facility lighting with high efficiency light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and operations and maintenance equipment and staffing requirements. This reduction action could be combined with the installation of daylight sensors to automatically shut off lights to reduce wasted energy. LEDs have the potential to reduce maintenance costs, increase savings on energy costs, and lower operating voltages. Many airports use a Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALSR), which employs incandescent spot lamps. These lamps are relatively high wattage and require continual maintenance. Under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract, LED-based green runway threshold lamps have been developed for use in the MALSR. Field-testing of LED lamps at the runway threshold has been done at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix and at Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota. Commercial pilots reported no negative comments about the color, intensity, or other characteristics of the lamps. Estimated capital cost of installing LEDs is based on the assumption that a typical MALSR has approximately 65 incandescent lamps that would need to be replaced with LEDs at a cost of $1,000 per lamp. Additional planning and construction labor costs would be incurred.
Practice Information
| Capital Cost: | Moderately Expensive (>$100,000 – $500,000 US) |
| O&M Cost: | Moderate (>$50,000 – $100,000 US) |
| Payback Period: | Immediate (0 – 2 years) |
| Staffing Requirements: | Low (10 – 50 hours per month) |
| Reportability of Metrics: | Quantitative metric with baseline for comparison practices and is already tracked |
| Maturity of Practice: | Proven at multiple airports |
| Energy Reduction: | Decreases energy consumption |
| Environmental Benefits: | Low environmental benefit |
| Social Benefits: | No social benefit |
Airport Characteristics
Categories
Case Studies
Multiple Airports
Additional airports that utilize LED lighting include: 1) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 2) Manchester Airport, Manchester, England 3) Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona, USA 4) Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California, USA 5) San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California, USA
Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA), Madison, Wisconsin
DCRA has implemented a number of airfield improvements to decrease energy usage, including the installation of LED lighting for runways and taxiways. To date, DCRA has installed LED lights on Taxiway A and a portion of Taxiway B. DCRA is proactively replacing or installing LED airfield lighting as opportunities arise. DCRA is also working to retrofit lights in its parking ramp to LED. Lighting is the biggest energy user in the parking ramps at DCRA since existing lighting contains the older metal-halide technology.
Related Links
Kaiser, K. “San Diego Int’l Switches to LED Runway Status Lights”
Los Angeles World Airports, “Public Art – LAX Pylons”
Airports International, “Let there be LEDs”
Snedeker, A.B., “Airport Rocks Eco-Friendly Runway Lighting,” Hartsfield – Jackson News
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