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When most of us buy a new device, whether it is a computer, a phone or an MP3 player, think about the object as a whole. The little bits and components that make the machine work usually remain out of our view. LEDs, as they blip to alert us of how a machine is working, are the unsung heroes of the tech world. But recent advances have made LED street lights possible, which just might change the way we see these tiny diodes.

Big improvements in LED lighting technology have brought us to the point where imagining LED-lit streets is no longer a fiction. Most importantly, scientists have made great strides in increasing the brightness of LEDs. While some still question whether LED light is sufficient, numerous cities are adopting them. As with other technologies, researchers continue to tinker with LEDs. Now, about forty years after their invention, they seem to have caught up with practical concerns.

The biggest of these is efficiency. In tight economic times, many governments are drawn to the potential savings offered by LEDs. A longer lifespan and fifty percent more efficiency outweigh the initial expense, which can be considerable. In the long term, these qualities help slash budgets and free up money for other initiatives.

The savings from using these lights, however, are correlated to other benefits. As LEDs consume less energy, they can help cities reduce their carbon footprint by up to sixty percent. In this age when governments around the world are looking for ways to stop global warming, replacing old bulbs with LEDs can be an integral part of a larger environmental strategy.

An additional environmental benefit is that the manufacture of LED lights requires no mercury. Disposal of old fluorescent bulbs results in excess mercury being dumped in landfills and increasing toxicity in the environment. While this may not be the primary reason governments adopt LEDs, it is certainly a positive by-product.

The US is only now really getting into the LED game. The stimulus package gives incentives for local and state governments to pursue LED technology. This may make LED lighting the norm for urban centers. Some European countries are already veterans and have used LED lights for some time in a variety of contexts.

Government administrators and citizens alike hope that LED street lights can bring about a brighter, cheaper and more eco-friendly future. If nothing else, these new lights will highlight the importance of this tiny technology that we so often overlook.