Garver releases technology to track street light efficacy

Arkansas engineering firm Garver recently released a first-of-its-kind technology that allows city and state transportation departments to measure the effectiveness of street lighting while traveling at highway speeds.

Lumitracker, a vehicle hitch-mounted technology, allows users to obtain street lighting data while driving. Users can view the data via a cloud-based mapping software, similar to a geographical information system. The data shows the effectiveness of each street light. For example, it can show whether a street light needs to be replaced or if a nearby tree needs to be trimmed because it’s blocking the light.

Bart Gilbreath, electrical resiliency and illumination leader at Garver in Rogers, worked as an adviser on the development of the new technology with Garver’s Innovation Incubator to launch it.

Gilbreath has worked for Garver for nearly 21 years and identified a need for the technology over the years. Cities and highway departments wanted to be proactive in maintaining their street lights, rather than reactive when a light goes out or has an issue.

Keith Tencleve, director of innovation and business support at Garver in Fayetteville, leads Garver’s Innovation Incubator, comprising eight people of various backgrounds. Gilbreath collaborated with Tencleve and the innovation incubator team to develop Lumitracker.

Tencleve said there’s no other integrated lighting system like this that he knows of that’s rentable and can collect lighting data. The system is integrated with the mapping software, allowing users to view the data. Including labor, Garver has invested about $300,000 into the technology.

Clients in Florida, Mississippi and Texas have recently rented the Lumitracker devices. Two devices have been built, and more are being built in-house. Lumitracker will soon be available across Garver’s 20-state footprint. The devices are rented for $6,700 weekly.

“That gets you the system,” Tencleve said. “You can collect as much information as you want. That’s them driving it. Then that includes the analysis portal and everything.” Clients receive a link to the cloud-based software “that allows you to visualize your entire lighting system throughout your city on a screen and analyze it.”

Tencleve expects Lumitracker usage to grow and to become a viable part of Garver’s business. He also expects Lumitracker to help Garver enter new markets.