DEPARTMENT: Information and Technology Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Craig Hopkins, Chief Information Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Smart Streetlights
SUMMARY: Briefing will focus on examples of how other cities are leveraging smart street lights to solve civic problems, the results of pilots already conducted in San Antonio, and an assessment of the existing and new infrastructure required to support. Our focus going forward will be to integrate all the street light plans and activities into the SmartSA program and to test features, explore capabilities and infrastructure options in the newly designated Innovation Zones
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The City of San Antonio and CPS Energy continue to evaluate Smart Street Light Control Technology. In May 2017, a 90 light pilot was launched in District 5 including Cassiano Park to evaluate smart features and equipment configuration for cost and scaling.
Smart street lights have several primary smart control features that include reporting operational status, providing accurate GPS location, allowing programmable scheduling for parks, motion detection and dimming based on ambient light levels. They also can be used as a platform for other Smart Applications and Communication devices such as digital cameras, Wi-Fi hot spots and air quality monitoring.
Unlike converting old High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights to LEDs, smart features do not provide significant energy savings, rather they offer an increased level of service. Some potential intangible or cost saving features related to smart light technology include faster outage reporting (lights are on a higher percentage of time enhancing safety and security), patrol cost can be avoided, and a real time inventory is provided. Existing inventory relies on UAI (Unit Asset Inventory), pole and light tags tied to the GIS and billing system). Some energy savings could be gained through dimming of the lights by 20%.
The briefing will focus on examples of how other cities are leveraging smart street lights to solve civic problems, the results of pilots already conducted in San Antonio, and an assessment of the existing and new infrastructure required to support. Our focus going forward will be to integrate all the street light plans and activities into the SmartSA program and to test features, explore capabilities and infrastructure options in the newly designated Innovation Zones
ISSUE: Provide an opportunity to pilot smart streetlight technology and leverage existing assets to improve service delivery for residents.
ALTERNATIVES: There are no alternatives associated with this briefing.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends working with CPS Energy to pilot smart streetlight technology through the SmartSA Innovation Zones.