Older drivers being a problem to traffic in Miami Dade

Last Name 1

Student Name

Kacee Belcher

ENC 1102

27 July 2016

A Proposal to Add LED Lights to Trees on Twin Sabal Drive

Submitted to the Town of Miami Lakes Public Works and Capital Improvements Department

In today’s society, texting or drinking and driving are the most advertised ways of

getting into accidents. The government and several organizations put it all over the web and on

posters around a city for it to be seen. However, one simple way of getting into accidents is

because of low lighting in streets and roads. What happens in this situation is that the driver is

passing through a low lit area, while another car is coming towards it. The glare of the high

beams of the car makes it almost impossible to see where you’re going and what’s ahead of you.

The cars later collide and several people are wounded or even dead. “The motoring association

said that overall, from 2007 to 2012, a 19.6 per cent reduction in accidents along town and city

roads where street lights were on, shrank to 8.8 per cent where lighting was not present.”

(“Accident”) It happens everywhere and can be easily prevented if the right action is taken. In

Twin Sabal Drive, Miami Lakes, Florida, this problem occurs. Every night when the sun goes

down, all that’s left in the street are the two light posts, barely providing any light. Due to this, I

turn my attention to The Town of Miami Lakes, specifically The Town of Miami Lakes Public

Works and Capital Improvements Department because you are “responsible for the operations,

maintenance and improvements of the Towns infrastructure. This includes canal cleaning, street

sweeping, litter debris pick up, signs repairs and replacement, sidewalk repairs, roadway repairs,

Last Name 2

storm drains, street lights, and curbs.” (“Welcome”) As a member of the community that lives in

Twin Sabal Drive, I propose that we act fast and seriously towards making Twin Sabal Drive a

safer street by implementing LED lighting to trees.

Since this street is full of trees, the addition of lights on the branches that go over the

street can make a big impact by providing sufficient lighting for the drivers and the pedestrians.

It may prevent some accidents like the ones I have witnessed from happening, while also making

the area look more appealing. To solve this problem, the installation of LED lights to the

branches of the trees that are directly above Twin Sabal Drive should take place in order to give

enough light for drivers and pedestrians to comfortably drive or walk at night. Because of the

amount of trees on Twin Sabal Drive, not all of the trees will be lit, this is because if all trees

were to be lit, it will be too much light causing drivers to flinch and be overwhelmed. After

counting, there are 28 trees that have branches over Twin Sabal Drive. If LED lights were to be

wrapped around from the trunk all the way up to the tip of the branch, enough light would be

provided.

With 28 trees being lit up, about 60 feet of wires with LED lights per tree would be

needed. With an estimated $20 per 30 feet, $40 dollars per tree would be necessary.

(“TaoTronics”) After doing the calculation about $1,187.20 with taxes included would be spent

just on materials. The installation would be around $378 per tree, meaning an additional $10,584.

(“Learn”) A total of $11,771.20 would have the tree lights installed and ready to go.

On Twin Sabal Drive, there are about 30 houses with families living in them. There is a

park and a small lake that is connected to it where people canoe and fish in to pass time. On a

regular Sunday afternoon, kids are spotted running around with their neighboring friends playing

different games and having fun. Cars frequently make stops for them going after balls or

Last Name 3

Frisbees. But in the night, this street seems as if it was another. The happiness and joy of the

people inhabiting it during the day disappears becoming a dark and lonely street. At least once or

twice a month an accident occurs on this street after the sun has gone down. As it’s the last place

that needs to be passed in able for someone to get to their driveway, it is inevitable. I am not the

only person to be frightened when having to drive on the street but also my family and

neighbors. We are all tired of having to use our high beams that disrupt drivers ahead of us and

being able to have a clear vision of the road ahead.

This solution was proven to work in Miami Lakes’ own Main Street. Main Street is a

popular destination where stores, restaurants and a movie theater is Located. Kids, teenagers and

adults go on their leisure time. Main Street is like a small open mall, it has two lanes divided by

trees with lights on them that brighten up the whole area. At night it is something beautiful to

see. This is multi-purposed. Meanwhile the lights provide a different and pretty view for the

guests, it also has the function of a light post without having them. This is what I intend to do

with Twin Sabal Drive.

Most streets are lit up by light posts and the common solution would be to just add them.

This is where living in the area gives an advantage. Because of the large numbers of trees in

Twin Sabal Drive, light posts wouldn’t have effects on the lighting. The bulbs would be too high

due to the fact that the leaves and branches would be blocking the light. The street would still be

with low light even though it would be an improvement. Low posts would be too costly and too

many would have to be installed for the lower posts to properly function. Since Twin Sabal

Drive is 0.3 miles long, 9 light posts should be enough for the project to be successful. This

means that every 58.6 yards there should be a light post. “Material cost of bulb, poles and

electrical wires and labor cost of installing the light – the cost of installing one street light pole is

Last Name 4

generally around $4000.” (“The True Cost”) Taking these numbers, the project would cost about

$36,000. Light posts are not only more expensive, but the outcome of putting this is different

than regularly thought.

Another alternative solution that might be proposed to ensure the safety in Twin Sabal

Drive would be to reduce the speed limit. Though reducing the speed limit will make cars drive

slower lowering the risk of accidents, the accidents in Twin Sabal Drive occur more at night

because of the lack of light. This proves that the street needs lighting, not a change in speed

limit. Even if the limit is reduced, the signs wouldn’t be readable for the drivers because of the

lack of light.

In conclusion, the implementation of LED lights on trees in Twin Sabal Drive is the best

solution, not only for the security but also for the cost efficiency. The cost of light posts almost

triples on just the installation, not including the ongoing cost of it. The speed limit is where it

should be due to the low number of accidents reported during the day time, this showing that the

darkness in the street at night was the problem. Not everyone would love the lights on the trees

and some might see it as ‘tacky’ but it sure will improve the situation on Twin Sabal Drive. All

that is looked for is a better and safer community at the end of the day, and this is the right step

towards that change. I urge you, the Town of Miami Lakes Public Works and Capital

Improvements Department, to take immediate action and make Twin Sabal Drive a safer street

for the community and its drivers.

Last Name 5

Works Cited

"Accident Rates Worse When Street Lights Switched off." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media

Group, n.d. Web. 05 July 2016.

"Learn How Much It Costs to Install Holiday Lighting." 2016 Christmas Light Installation Costs.

Homeadvisor.com, n.d. Web. 31 July 2016.

"TaoTronics Outdoor String Lights, Dimmable LED String Lights for Bedroom, Patio, Party,

Christmas Tree, Decorations (100 LEDs, 33 Ft Copper Wire, Warm White, Remote

Control)." Amazon. Amazon.com, n.d. Web. 28 July 2016.

"The True Cost of Street Lights." My LED Lighting Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Welcome to the Public Works and Capital Improvements Department!" Town of Miami Lakes -

Growing Beautifully - Home. Town of Miami Lakes, n.d. Web. 31 July 2016.