This pilot project will evaluate the combination of smart lighting and sensor technologies to support business case development for smart poles that enhance energy savings, public safety, park management, community experience and satisfaction and maintenance reduction.
While there are many instances of smart lighting pilot projects across the country, this pilot project focuses on the value and savings of a combination of smart sensor technologies, their applications in different scenarios, and how a community can generate positive outcomes by leveraging technology and data. Smart pole technologies offer new opportunities for expanded city services and more data streams while also improving the experience for city or town residents.
In addition to smart lighting, smart poles offer a wide variety of benefits to the town, the local power company, and all residents. Features of smart poles include: environmental sensors, such as flooding sensors; insights into energy usage of the poles; loudspeakers for music or emergency announcements; pedestrian count sensors, visual alarms; and other options. This pilot project is the first phase in a series to expand smart pole deployment and use in Johnson City, Tennessee. By taking a multiphase approach, the pilot project team will be able to integrate lessons learned into future smart pole installations.
BrightRidge, the city of Johnson City, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) are partnering to retrofit and supply new smart poles with LED lighting controls, 4-color LED lights and multiple smart sensors in downtown Founders Park and King Commons Park playground.
Founders Park scope of work will include:
King Commons playground scope of work will include:
Success for this pilot project will be measured by the following:
By tracking this information, the pilot project team will learn more about the energy savings potential of smart poles as well as how the data collected from the smart poles can provide valuable insights into their effectiveness, applicability, and scalability across the Valley.
This pilot project is truly a team effort. Close collaboration of the different partners – Johnson City, BrightRidge, EPRI and TVA – allows each partner to provide valuable insight and expertise, including:
The various partnerships for a pilot project with a technology focus like this one help ensure the project objectives can be met within the established timeframe.
Georgia Caruthers, Senior Program Manager, TVA
Measurement and verification done by EPRI will be conducted over 2023 and 2024 to gather more information and impact from the smart poles.