Comments on the AMA Report Concerning LED Streetlighting and 3000K CCT

April 10, 2017

Shirley Coyle

Next month LDS will feature an interview with Shirley Coyle, President of CREE Canada and IES. We asked Shirley to participate in the debate on the AMA’s position on blue light. Here are her comments.

As a manufacturer, Cree is committed to providing quality lighting that is comfortable and doesn’t require the customer to compromise in order to save energy. We have a long history of delivering outdoor lighting, for area and roadway applications, across a range of colour temperatures (3000K to 5700K). What is important to note about the ongoing conversation is that not all LED lighting is created equally, and the technology has reached a point where it’s possible to deliver better experiences with lighting, by providing low-glare, warm, dark-sky friendly illumination. We often find that warmer 3000K CCT in a well-designed, visually-comfortable streetlight is preferred for residential neighbourhoods, while 4000K CCT is preferred for arterial roads and highways.

On the issue of safety, the most obvious flaw of the concerns raised is that CCT is not the issue at all — CCT is an overly simplistic value that describes the colour appearance of a light source, and for these issues the important metric to consider is the specific blue content, and more specifically the melanopic response, which cannot be captured in CCT. And along with spectral content, consideration has to be given to dosage, duration, and time of day.

So there is a disconnect here between real lighting science and those leading the outcry on the basis of CCT. Fifty percent of fatal collisions happen at night time even though only 25% of roadway travel happens at night time. There is a statistics-based consensus that roadway lighting decreases night time collision rates. We light roadways primarily for safety reasons: the goal is to use well-designed roadway lighting to improve visibility for drivers, including their ability to detect other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

Read LDS’ previous coverage of this issue: AMA Issues Guidance on Harmful Effects of High Intensity Street Lighting.

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • July 10, 2025 - Mac’s II Agencies Announce Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    Mac’s II Agencies Announces Addition to Project & Specification Sales Team

    Mac’s II Agencies is pleased to announce that Drazen Jerkovic will be joining their Project & Specification Sales team in the Lighting Division later this fall. With over 25 years of experience in the lighting and electrical industry, Drazen is a highly respected consultant known for his technical knowledge and deep understanding of project delivery. His recent role… Read More…

  • Noramco-Announces-Samantha-Boernsen-as-New-Regional-Sales-Manager-Winnipeg

    Noramco Announces Samantha Boernsen as New Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg

    Please join Noramco in welcoming Samantha Boernsen as Regional Sales Manager, Winnipeg! Samantha brings a wealth of experience in the electrical industry, with a strong focus on lighting, marketing strategy, and customer engagement. She has built her career on connecting technical expertise with real-world application, making her a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike.… Read More…


Design

  • Infrastructure Lighting Fixtures: Why Scale Matters

    Infrastructure Lighting Fixtures: Why Scale Matters

    In infrastructure projects, the size and scale of outdoor lighting fixtures are critical—not just for aesthetics, but for functionality, safety, and long-term performance. Whether lighting a streetscape, transit hub, or civic plaza, appropriately scaled fixtures help create environments that are both visually coherent and effectively illuminated. Public lighting plays a role in shaping how spaces… Read More…

  • What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    What You Need to Consider When Choosing Data Center Lighting

    When operating a data center, the lighting syst​em is often not the most concerned part. Actually, lighting system performance directly influences whole electricity consumption and operating costs, especially in a 24-hour non-stop data center. This article will delve into the key factors to be considered when choosing data center lighting. For enterprises that are planning to… Read More…


New Products

  • SATCO|NUVO: LED T12 Lamps

    SATCO|NUVO: LED T12 Lamps

    SATCO|NUVO’s LED T12 ballast compatible lamps are direct replacements for T12 linear fluorescent. Offered in a frosted white finish, these lamps are also PET coated and NSF rated. Conveniently sold in two-packs, these lamps make replacing traditional tubes an easy choice. Suggested applications include shop light fixtures, laundry room, utility closets, and garages. Read More…

  • BOLD: Prism Recessed Outdoor Fixture – RL-PRISM-60-BK

    BOLD: Prism Recessed Outdoor Fixture – RL-PRISM-60-BK

    The Prism is part of BOLD’s high-end, durable, and modern 60mm (2 3/8″) recessed fixtures. With its 93 CRI, hexagonal design, partially covered light source, and 360-degree warm glow, you can create unique ambient lighting effects and modern designs, minus the glare. You can safely walk or drive over these raised recessed lights: their low-profile… Read More…