Traffic Lights + Blowing Snow = Danger?

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 29, 2009 6:40PM

While modern LED traffic lights have proven to be energy savers, it's during the winter when we're reminded that there's a hazardous side effect. Because these lights use less heat and give off less heat, any blowing snow that piles up in each light doesn't really melt, creating confusion as drivers can't see the obscured lights. Local government officials - many who have pushed the use of LED lights - say such instances are rare. Indeed, you've got to get a lot of bowing snow and it would take swirling, blizzard conditions to obscure every single signal in an intersection. The solution? Constant vigilance and brooms to sweep the snow away. The Tribune takes a closer look at this and what officials are doing to combat this occasional hazard.