Amerlux Partners with Illuminating Concepts and IntelliStreets to Develop SmartSite State of the Art LED Street Lighting and Network Control System

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May 03, 2012, 09:39 ET

FAIRFIELD, N.J., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Amerlux has partnered with Illuminating Concepts and IntelliStreets to create the SmartSite state of the art LED street lighting and network control system. Amerlux, a manufacturer of a broad array of optically superior, energy efficient lighting solutions for the retail, supermarket, hospitality, commercial and outdoor lighting markets, has supplied the LED-equipped luminaires and is marketing the system across North America. SmartSite™, powered by IntelliStreets, is the world's most technically advanced street lighting system which integrates energy efficient LED lighting technology with a robust, bi-directional mesh network control system that manages lighting, audio, video and energy usage throughout urban, suburban and college environments. SmartSite will be on display at the Amerlux booth #3516 at Lightfair International in Las Vegas from May 9th through the 11th.

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Operating effectively without cable installation, underground trenching or wire maintenance to set-up the control of the outdoor lighting, sound and video, SmartSite is a 24/7 area-wide system that offers architectural luminaire styles, a robust platform, digital wireless solutions, Wi-Fi capabilities, and a myriad of homeland security features. SmartSite also offers multimedia solutions that can upgrade an existing infrastructure to provide information, advertising, security and entertainment for public spaces with streetlights that automatically adjust the lighting to illuminate the area with the specific amount of light needed. The digital display banners, and synchronized sound from integrated speakers on each "Smart" light pole, will provide a seamless audience experience as well as generate a measurable revenue stream.

The basic version of the system features a self-organizing (which means, among other things, that it can still operate if one of the poles is damaged) wireless mesh network that facilitates significant energy savings: not only does it use inherently-efficient LEDs, but the lights can be dimmed significantly as ambient conditions change, such as after sidewalks and streets empty late at night. The built-in sensors can actually turn off one side of the street before the other at sunrise.

Amerlux estimates that the system can cut energy use by up to 70%, and that the LEDs will last 50% longer than with conventional controls. Each light assembly also includes an all-weather speaker system to broadcast a wide range of information.

SmartSite utilizes the area's existing power supply and can simply replace the existing streetlights with a fully featured system with energy efficient LEDs that save money and maintenance. Existing metal halide or high pressure sodium fixtures can be replaced in just minutes, with LED luminaires that can last for years, with options on the pole to make it "Smart."

Designed with an LED module and a patented built-in speaker, each streetlight features a unique duo-band radio system and miniature computer with data storage capacity. Streetlight processors communicate with each other through a wireless mesh network and monitor individual luminaire usage, energy costs, grid power and system integrity. If a fixture is experiencing a problem, the other streetlights will continue to operate according to programming.

Utilizing breakthrough technology in urban media design, streetlight processors can store and analyze data including soundtracks, announcements, commercials, and video files, as well as offering a patented full range speaker system. With built-in brains, the streetlight retains playlists similar to an iPod; it receives and sends commands, downloads and stores information. For example, music is synchronized pole-to-pole, street-to-street, using an anatomical clock without echo or interference, to engage captive audiences.

SmartSite luminaires can be equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors to ensure real-time 24/7-security coverage. The sensors detect a variety of threats that enable rapid response from emergency personnel or help prevent crime and gain control of the streets. Using LED technology, the luminaires provide consistent light dispersal, backed by a centralized remote control of lighting, signage and audio messaging that allow pedestrians to be ushered quickly and safely to the nearest route during storm warnings, events or emergencies.

Some groups are most interested in how the same components that facilitate communication in normal times can switch instantly to providing two-way emergency communications. "Blue-light" emergency communications buttons similar to those found on college campuses can allow individuals to call for help, while the built-in speaker can broadcast emergency information. The digital street sign and/or banner system can provide emergency evacuation routes. Optional built-in sensors can detect rising floodwaters, biological and radiological hazards and relay that information to command centers.

Using SmartSite, powered by IntelliStreets, locally in real-time can have very positive impacts for the public during major natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, or even terrorist attacks. Localized voice messages can relay the real information that people need to know about the emergency and any action needed to be taken. Instead of relying upon cellular facilities that could be disabled, a mesh network can route around obstacles and still transmit low-bandwidth communications.

The system also links into the Amber Alert Center, the emergency response system that disseminates information about missing persons, usually children, and enlists the public's help to find them and catch their abductors.

SmartSite is perfectly suited for installation in retail malls, sports venues, on college campuses, and in new construction. A full Activity-Based Costing analysis that would also factor in issues such as more efficient traffic routing during road repairs, special events and emergencies would further strengthen the argument for retrofitting. As the cost of the individual components comes down through economies of scale, the SmartSite system might well become commonplace.

To generate a significant revenue stream while building business for community shopkeepers and national brands, including the prevention of "night flight" by retaining commuters in cities, SmartSite offers two-sided digital LED street banners that offer an extremely economical means for achieving timely advertising messages for downtown fairs, festivals, and events at theaters and stadiums. The digital LED banner and media system assists consumers with parking directions, and is a key component to maximizing civic awareness of re-routing for parades, and road maintenance and construction. An optional seamlessly integrated media system offers a wide range of public communications for bus stops, rail stations, people-movers, airports, etc.

SmartSite offers a nearly unlimited array of digital advertising opportunities that represents a paradigm shift in which a traditional streetlight is transformed into a 21st-century scaffolding for which a wide variety of communication tools can be posted. Digital ad companies will be available to provide LED banner ads on the street poles to help generate advertising revenue and achieve a greater return on investment more quickly and easily. Using both video and audio advertising messages, businesses can promote brands, municipalities and civic organizations can promote events, and organizations can post a variety of public service announcements and spots.

To learn more about the SmartSite System and other initiatives from Amerlux, please click on the latest video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq6CElwcl5M&feature=youtu.be

About SmartSite

SmartSite™, powered by IntelliStreets, is the world's most technically advanced street lighting system which integrates energy efficient LED lighting technology with a robust, bi-directional mesh network control system. This innovative system manages lighting, audio, video and energy usage throughout urban, suburban and college environments and will be introduced formally at Lightfair International 2012. Operating effectively without cable installation, underground trenching or wire maintenance to set-up the control of the outdoor lighting, sound and video, SmartSite is a 24/7 area-wide system that offers architectural luminaire styles, a robust platform, digital wireless solutions, Wi-Fi capabilities, and a myriad of homeland security features. SmartSite also offers multimedia solutions that can upgrade an existing infrastructure to provide information, advertising, security and entertainment for public spaces with streetlights that automatically adjust the lighting to illuminate the area with the specific amount of light needed. The digital display banners, and synchronized sound from integrated speakers on each "Smart" light pole, will provide a seamless audience experience as well as generate a measurable revenue stream.

About Amerlux LLC

Amerlux speaks the language of light for design and construction professionals around the world by manufacturing a broad array of optically superior, energy efficient lighting solutions for the retail, supermarket, hospitality, commercial and outdoor lighting markets. Amerlux products and services include track lighting, recessed downlighting and multiples, pendants, linear fluorescents, and custom lighting systems, as well as support for energy reduction plans that can be used as a guide to state, city and local utility rebate programs for maximum energy savings and utility incentives. The company's domestic and international clients receive the support of Amerlux's highly trained specification sales force, as well as expert service from initial design to on-time delivery made possible by strategically located manufacturing, warehousing and shipping locations.

www.amerlux.com

SOURCE Amerlux