Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations

Proposed Regulations

Bulletin – February 2007

Traffic Signal Modules and Pedestrian Modules

Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) is proposing to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) under which dealers of traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules that are imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada would be required to comply with minimum energy performance standards and other regulatory requirements. This amendment is included in Canada's Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and accompanying Notice of Intent as published in the Canada Gazette October 21, 2006.

The purpose of this document is to provide stakeholders with background information on the content of the proposed amendment so that they can submit comments. NRCan is particularly looking to receive feedback from stakeholders on the proposed minimum energy performance standards, effective date and verification requirements and reporting and importing requirements.

BACKGROUND

In April 2002, BC Hydro, in collaboration with NRCan, commissioned a study on LED (light emitting diode) technology in traffic and pedestrian signal light applications. That study estimated the market potential for LED traffic and signal light technology in Canada, examined barriers and opportunities that was confronting the technology, and recommended a strategy to enhance the penetration of LED lighting technology in traffic and pedestrian markets across Canada.

Results show that with LEDs, a much higher percentage of the electrical power is going directly to generating light, which reduces electricity demand by 85% to 95%, depending on signal type, compared to their incandescent counterparts.

Since then, NRCan has collaborated with Manitoba Hydro to study the conversion of the incandescent traffic signal indicators at fifteen intersections in the City of Winnipeg to LED traffic signal indicators. This 3 year project allowed NRCan to verify the installation and operating costs of LED traffic signal indicators, in-service energy consumption, cold climate operation and long term performance of LED traffic and pedestrian signals.

There are no existing efficiency standards for traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules in Canada.

In its 2005 EPACT legislation, the US adopted minimum energy performance standards for traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules, equivalent to the ENERGY STAR^® Program Requirements for Traffic Signals (Version 1.1) performance levels. These performance standards apply to products manufactured on or after January 1, 2006.

In February 2006, Marbek Resource Consultants Ltd. conducted a study on the current technical and market status of LED traffic and signal light products in Canada. To conduct this study, a survey was distributed to municipal and provincial governments and manufacturers. The report confirmed that in 2005, approximately 40% of installed stock was LED technology. LED also account for over 90% of traffic and pedestrian signal light sales in Canada.

Given the significant energy and operational savings over the life cycle of the product and the maturity of the LED technology in this application, NRCan believes that regulations are appropriate at this time to ensure complete market transformation to the higher efficiency technology.

This will also allow Canada to harmonize with the US by using a common North American standard.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

NRCan is proposing that the Regulations apply to traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules. For the purposes of the Regulations, a traffic signal module is defined as a standard 200 mm or 300 mm traffic signal indication that consists of: 1) a light source, a lens and all other parts necessary for operation, and 2) communicates movement messages to drivers through red, amber and green colors. A pedestrian module means a light signal used to convey movement information to pedestrians.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE TEST PROCEDURE

Since there are no current Canadian equivalent test standards for this product, NRCan is proposing that the products be tested under the conditions presented in the Institute for Transportation Engineers (ITE), Vehicle Traffic Control Signal Heads (VTCSH), 2005, Part 2, Section 6.4.2., for both the nominal and maximum wattage.

This standard may be ordered from:

MINIMUM ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS (MEPS)

NRCan is proposing the following maximum and nominal wattages to be added in the Energy Efficiency Regulations. For the purpose of this proposed amendment, maximum and nominal wattage are defined as follows:

Nominal wattage – the power consumed by the module when it is operated within a chamber at a temperature of 25 °C after the signal has been operated for 60 minutes.

Maximum wattage – the power consumed by the module after being operated for 60 minutes while mounted in a temperature testing chamber so that the lensed portion of the module is outside the chamber, all portions of the module behind the lens are within the chamber at a temperature of
74 °C, and the air temperature in front of the lens is maintained at a minimum of 49 °C.

Table 1: Energy Efficiency Criteria for Traffic Signal Modules and Pedestrian Modules

EFFECTIVE DATE

The effective date of the proposed Regulations would be the date of registration of the amendment to the Regulations as published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and is expected to be March 2008. NRCan proposes that these Regulations apply to those products manufactured after January 1, 2007. This means that the energy performance test procedure, the energy performance standards and all other regulated requirements for the regulated traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules come into effect on that date. To further clarify: if a regulated traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules are imported into Canada (or shipped between provinces), on or after the effective date of the Regulations, that product's date of manufacture would be taken into account for the purposes of compliance with the Regulations.

LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

No labeling requirements will be introduced at this time.

VERIFICATION MARK LABELLING REQUIREMENTS

The same verification mark requirements that apply to other products regulated under the Energy Efficiency Act will apply to traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules.

NRCan is proposing that regulated traffic signal modules and pedestrian modules carry a verification mark indicating that the energy performance of the product has been verified. The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification body that administers an energy performance verification program for this product. Or the verification mark can be issued by a province indicating that the product meets the provincial energy efficiency levels as a verification mark, providing that the provincial level is equivalent to or exceeds the federally regulated level.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Energy Efficiency Reports

The energy efficiency report required for this product will include the following information:

• Module name or type (as described in Table 1 in the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) section above)
• Manufacturer name
• Model number and brand
• Nominal wattage (W)
• Maximum wattage (W)
• Name of the organization or province that carried out the verification and authorized the verification mark that will appear on the product

This report must be submitted by the dealer to the Minister of National Resources Canada before the product is imported to Canada or traded interprovincially for the first time.

Importing Reports

A dealer who is importing these products into Canada must include the following information on the customs release document:

• Type of product
• Model number
• Brand name
• Address of the dealer importing the product
• Purpose for which the product is being imported (i.e. for sale or lease in Canada without modification; for sale or lease in Canada after modification to comply with energy efficiency standards; or for use as a component in a product being exported from Canada)

HARMONIZATION

NRCan attempts, as much as possible, to harmonize with other regulatory agencies.

DOE has regulated the same energy performance standards for this product starting January 1, 2006.

COMMENTS INVITED

The information in the Bulletin is being issued in advance of prepublication in the Canada Gazette to allow time for concerned parties to comment on the proposal. All correspondence should be forwarded to the following address by March 30^th, 2007: