On a recent walk, Prairie Village resident Dianne Pallanich noticed a new kind of streetlight on 79th Street between Roe Avenue and Juniper Street.

“They give off a brilliant white light that reaches much farther than the dull pink lights commonly used,” she said. “I feel more visible as a pedestrian to drivers, and I can also see much further ahead for my personal safety.

“Can you find out if we will be seeing more of this great new lighting? Watt’s up?”

The answer

Watt’s up? Oh, Dianne, you are too clever.

These are LED streetlights, which are being tested for a year at selected spots in Prairie Village, Blue Springs, Gladstone, Liberty and St. Joseph.

KCP&L has worked with Black & McDonald to replace 44 high-pressure sodium fixtures with LED (light-emitting diode) streetlights. The wattage and brand vary by location.

The utility is looking for feedback and should know whether LED streetlights are worth further investment, said spokeswoman Clara Miller.

Each installation will be evaluated for the quality, color and appearance of the lighting; energy savings; maintenance costs; and the appearance of the fixtures and how well they fit into the community.

Experts think the LED lights might save money and energy, Miller said, “but we need to have data to actually back that up.”

To fill out a survey, visit www.kcpl.com/community/ledpilot.html and click on the appropriate city. Because the surveys went up just before the holidays, Miller said, it’s too early to gauge public opinion.

Dianne may love the LED streetlights, but one of the Watchdog’s great disappointments was his purchase a few years ago of some very cold-looking LED Christmas lights.

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