There are approximately 3200 flashing beacons at zebra crossings island-wide. These beacons serve to warn motorists of the presence of pedestrians at the zebra crossings. The flashing beacons are currently illuminated by incandescent bulbs. These bulbs required regular replacement as they tend to break down frequently. Also, premature burn-out of these bulbs results in unavailability of the warning devices at zebra crossings. This in turn is detrimental to the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

LTA will be replacing the incandescent bulbs for zebra crossing beacons with the Light-Emitting Diodes (LED). LED have a life span of up to 100 000 burning hours, compared to 1000 hours for an incandescent bulb, which needs to be replaced about every two months. Thus, the use of LED for the beacons will be operationally more efficient as the need of replacement will be significantly reduced.

Another salient feature of the LED beacons is that the circuit will still be able to operate even if one of the diodes fails. LED beacons will therefore reduce the unavailability period, replacement frequency and cost for maintaining the zebra crossing beacons.

By modifying all zebra crossing beacons with LED technology, LTA will be able to save an estimated $3 million over 15 years in maintenance and operational costs. LED beacons are expected to be implemented in all zebra crossing beacons by the third quarter of 2007.