project proposal
University of Illinois
Urbana/Champaign
ECE 445 – Senior Design
Project Proposal
LED Traffic Lights 4000
Adan Corral, Antonio Porto, Chris Brauweiler
February 10th, 2010
Introduction:
The advent of energy efficient LED traffic lights has produced an unforeseen problem in regions that experience freezing temperatures and snowfall during the winter months. LED traffic lights do not give off enough heat to combat snow accumulation and freezing like older (and more inefficient) incandescent bulbs. The increase in efficiency allows snow to accumulate over the lights and obscures signals; obscure signals present hazardous intersections which have led to accidents and loss of life.
In an effort to eliminate this problem, we will develop an automated heating system, LED Traffic Lights 4000, to de-ice LED traffic lights in an energy efficient and cost effective manner. To implement said efficiency, we will incorporate sensors and control logic to determine when each of the lights need de-icing. In addition to the aforementioned control logic, we will use solar panels to provide the power needed for the components of our system in order to maintain the energy savings of LED traffic modules.
Some of the benefits and features of our system are listed below.
Benefits:
Eliminate accidents attributed to traffic light concealment
Allow for the continued incorporation of LED traffic modules
Maintain energy efficient integrity of LED traffic modules
Reduce costs of LED traffic module maintenance
Features:
Autonomous
Long-lasting
Solar-powered
Design:
In order for our project to become a viable solution for the problem in hand, there are some requirements that must be met. To minimize costs, our solution has to last at least as long as a traffic light and use as little power from the grid as possible (ideally that would mean up to about 14 hours without sun-light reaching the panels). It also
Urbana/Champaign
ECE 445 – Senior Design
Project Proposal
LED Traffic Lights 4000
Adan Corral, Antonio Porto, Chris Brauweiler
February 10th, 2010
Introduction:
The advent of energy efficient LED traffic lights has produced an unforeseen problem in regions that experience freezing temperatures and snowfall during the winter months. LED traffic lights do not give off enough heat to combat snow accumulation and freezing like older (and more inefficient) incandescent bulbs. The increase in efficiency allows snow to accumulate over the lights and obscures signals; obscure signals present hazardous intersections which have led to accidents and loss of life.
In an effort to eliminate this problem, we will develop an automated heating system, LED Traffic Lights 4000, to de-ice LED traffic lights in an energy efficient and cost effective manner. To implement said efficiency, we will incorporate sensors and control logic to determine when each of the lights need de-icing. In addition to the aforementioned control logic, we will use solar panels to provide the power needed for the components of our system in order to maintain the energy savings of LED traffic modules.
Some of the benefits and features of our system are listed below.
Benefits:
Eliminate accidents attributed to traffic light concealment
Allow for the continued incorporation of LED traffic modules
Maintain energy efficient integrity of LED traffic modules
Reduce costs of LED traffic module maintenance
Features:
Autonomous
Long-lasting
Solar-powered
Design:
In order for our project to become a viable solution for the problem in hand, there are some requirements that must be met. To minimize costs, our solution has to last at least as long as a traffic light and use as little power from the grid as possible (ideally that would mean up to about 14 hours without sun-light reaching the panels). It also