Currently, as road safety becomes increasingly important, advancements in lighting technology play a crucial role in enhancing visibility. Due to our geographical location, characterized by early dusk and relatively late sunrise hours for most of the year, areas with heavy traffic must be properly illuminated. Any breaks in the line of lights or changes in their intensity, color, or glare pose a real risk of increasing the number of accidents. These factors cause eye strain for drivers, difficulties in spotting pedestrians on roads and crossings, and can negatively affect distance judgment.
LED luminaire manufacturers often highlight the lifespan of LED diodes, which can reach over 100,000 hours in laboratory tests while maintaining at least 90% of their initial efficiency (denoted as Lm90B10). This means that after this time, the LEDs retain at least 90% of their initial brightness. However, it is important to remember that this is only part of the truth, as it does not account for the full lifespan of the entire luminaire, which may be limited by other factors. Before the light emitted by the LEDs reaches the illuminated surface, it must pass through the optical system and protective glass. If the lifespan of these components is significantly shorter than that of the LEDs themselves, then despite the high durability of the light source, the entire luminaire may not maintain its initial light emission parameters. As a result, the entire lighting product may perform less effectively than the declared LED lifespan would suggest.
It is worth noting that for the end user, the lifespan of the entire LED luminaire is more important than the individual components. This aspect is often overlooked or omitted in communication, perhaps due to an awareness of the issues involved. It is crucial for users to have complete information about the durability of the entire lighting system, not just selected components.
LED luminaires, which are now common on our roads and equipped with plastic lenses, age, and yellow relatively quickly. They are also susceptible to micro-damage from the high temperature of the luminaire, and over time, they emit a different color of light and create altered lighting conditions. Despite this, lens-based luminaires remain quite popular and constitute the largest part of the road lighting market. The high temperature generated around the LED in these luminaires leads to permanent deformation of the lens. This progressive reduction in light output and changes in lighting directions contribute to the deterioration of road object illumination and, consequently, road safety.
The pursuit of improved road safety is indirectly related to the choice of more durable solutions, which means eliminating fragile lens optics from lighting luminaires in favor of reflector optics. The optical system used in AEC Illuminazione luminaires is based on technology using high-quality aluminum reflectors. Unlike the previously mentioned polymer lenses, this ensures the durability of the light distribution curve, maintenance of the light output level, and the color of the emission itself. Over the years, the photometric shape of such a luminaire practically does not change, as confirmed by numerous studies conducted by the manufacturer and tests during the certification process.
Luminaires based on reflector optics shine in designed directions and maintain the initial lighting parameters throughout the entire functionality of the luminaire. Such equipped luminaires are inherently resistant to high temperatures and UV, and the standard ventilated interior of the luminaire ensures full optimization of LED operating conditions.
Safe lighting is lighting that is based on reflector optics and is durable, unchanged over time, and resistant to thermal micro-damages. Moving away from so-called lens-based LED luminaires will certainly reduce unwanted optical phenomena on roads, including glare effects. Appropriate, constant light intensity and fully controlled aluminum optics will guarantee drivers good visibility of roads and high visual comfort even in difficult weather conditions.
