James Christian’s Bright Idea

MBTA saves $1.7 Million Using LED Lamps

It’s not something one really thinks about as they wait for the signal to change before they drive across tracks, or when the subway stops in a tunnel and then proceeds. Yet signals play an Integral part in the safety and operation of subways and trains.

There are over 2300 signals on the Red, Orange, Green and Blue lines of the MBTA. Up until recently, signals used small incandescent light bulbs that lasted about six weeks; and replacing a signal bulb required two people because of safety requirements for working on a right of way. Needless to say, changing these lights is a recurring cost that mounts up quickly.

Who better to solve the costly problem than James Christian,
Supervisor or Signal Maintenance. James knew the eventual solution would be to use LED bulbs, but there were two problems: those bulbs need a bayonet base that would be able to plug into existing units, and LED bulbs are expensive.