Looking out further, these researchers envision a wide range of changes in the way we use lighting. Among the advances hinted at in this article from the Environmental News Service, are changes to roadway lighting.

The article states "Researchers are able to control every aspect of light generated by LEDs, allowing the light sources to be tweaked and optimized for nearly any situation." We can envision a time when computer-controlled lighting systems monitor traffic and turn on streetlights only when cars or pedestrians are present. No more lighting empty streets at 3:00 AM just in case a car comes by. Signs and markers could be illuminated on an as-needed basis. Thanks to the low-power required by LEDs, solar cells could power illuminated roadside hazard markers and other signs, which turn off to conserve power when no one is near. Lighting could be dimmed or brightened in conjunction with the phase of the moon or brightness of the surroundings.

As the article states, "solid state lighting [will be] a catalyst for unexpected, currently unimaginable technological advances." Let's hope we apply our current understanding of waste, light pollution, and glare and use those advances in wise and night-friendly ways.