New LED lighting technology reduces energy consumption and costs while improving lighting quality – LED test track in operation since 2012.

Of the approximately 25,000 lights in the Mainz city area, around 5,000 will need
to be replaced in the coming years due to age or legal requirements. What role can modern LED technology play in this? How will the new street lights be received by the public? Answers to
these questions are to be provided by the LED test track installed in 2012 in Mainz's Oberstadt district (Weidmannstraße and Niklas-Vogt-Straße).

With the downtown lighting concept adopted in 2005, which was developed independently by the city planning office, the city of Mainz is pursuing several goals through the
use of new lighting technology and economical use of light. On the one hand, energy consumption is to be reduced for climate protection reasons. On the other hand, the overall costs for street lighting are to be reduced. Last but not least, the aim is to enhance the image of the city of Mainz by improving the cityscape.

LED lamps first became marketable in the 1990s. They are considered highly efficient light sources, have a long service life, and can contribute to climate protection due to their comparatively
low energy consumption. However, the city and Stadtwerke Mainz Netze GmbH, as the operator of
street lighting in Mainz, do not yet have sufficient experience with LED technology to be able to evaluate it conclusively.

At the beginning of 2012, an LED test track was opened with funding from the Mainz Foundation for Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency, and the existing lighting stock was replaced by 12
different LED models with a total of 60 new lights.

Until 2015, the lights will be tested by the Transferstelle für Rationelle und Regenerative Energienutzung Bingen (Transfer Center for Rational and Renewable Energy Use in Bingen) in terms of energy consumption, heat management, durability, suitability for everyday use, light color, and light output.

The acceptance of the citizens affected is a particular concern of the city administration. The city planning office asked the population to evaluate the LED lights before and after installation using extensive questionnaires.

The evaluation of the responses submitted shows a clear opinion in favor of the use of LED lights. The overall rating for lighting
in the residential area in the upper town has improved from 3.2 to 1.8. The results of the test section will later be incorporated into future decisions on the conversion of street lighting throughout the city.