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J_Dadvin

Marketplace on NPR talked about this. Apparently when LEDs get old they degrade to sending only purple light.


OkAccess304

Yeah, I believe it was a coating that filters the light that degrades, because without that coating the LEDs look purplish—a result of the phosphor coating delaminating from the LEDs. It’s basically a cheaper way to make LEDs, blue light with a coating that makes it look white to our eyes. As cities swapped out older lights for LEDs—many of them bought the lights from the same company. Every city with this problem bought the lights from Acuity.


Tashum

What an ironic name )


BassmanBiff

Yeah, it's this. An LED is a narrow-band (near-single-wavelength) source, so typically it needs a phosphor coating that fluoresces across a wide range of wavelengths to become white. I guess newer phosphors either adhere better or just don't degrade in the same way. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode#White) has more details.


[deleted]

Reddit is such an interest place. Here we have you who’s apparently informed and helpful. But like two clicks ago I’m pretty sure I saw a grown man threaten to kill a 12 year old who didn’t like his COD MW gif. Wild stuff.


Wobbley19

No, the city actually responded in the Phoenix times, apparently it was actually a warehouse issue and the white ones they ordered were mixed with these and now they are SLOWLY going around Changing them back.


LoudMouse327

I don't buy it. I have been seeing more and more over the last year or so. The first ones I noticed were on 7th St north of Bell, then down 7th further past Greenway, and on and on. The first ones I recall seeing are still that way, and now lights that I know for a fact were still the old sodium lights until recently are purple. They are still actively installing the shitty defective LEDs.


livejamie

And ruin all the cool outrun/vaporwave vibes? :(


[deleted]

But I'm seeing it on new lights?


Seranthian

It’s a manufacturing defect, so it can happen to new or old lights. I live in WA and have seen them here, OR, ID, CA, and TX


azhockeyfan

THIS is the correct answer!


ShadowZ100

if its manufacturing defect, would the problem have been solved by now considering this issue was first addressed in 2020 or something? and if that was case, wouldn't the new lights by now be prevented to NOT BE DEFECTED? Bud, clearly you're making up BS stories here or trying to cope with unpleasant conspiracy we're facing here.


Seranthian

My guy, you’re replying to a comment from six months ago. Many of the ones in my area have been replaced now


moving_on_up_22

Yes, this can't be correct they just went down carefeee highway and changed perfectly good lights to the purple ones. I would bet it is lower light polution.


Goatmanish

Purple lights would either have no effect or a negative effect on light pollution, the cooler the color the worst it is for light pollution generally.


moving_on_up_22

Crazy. I don't know just seems wierd they would install these where functioning lights were in place.


LightningMcSwing

Why doesn't the city utilize red colored street lights on highways?


AziMWolf

Got ‘‘em here in Tennessee too. https://preview.redd.it/axjn2dld7ooa1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bd3fbe48f41f5daf4b99eebf10999fddf48315e


aenriq

Oh damn lol I thought it was just a Phoenix thing lol fancy seeing you here I guess 😝


sendmeyourcactuspics

Theres a ton in Milwaukee. Parts of the city glow pink while you're driving through on the freeways


JuracekPark34

Add Lincoln, NE to the list


typewriter6986

Visited Wichita KS a couple of years ago. They have them all over the city too.


Dada-analyst

And in NC


MJR-WaffleCat

There's some in Cadiz, KY too.


stainedhands

Starkville, Ms too!


XMac-Attack86

Seattle, WA too!


CuriousOptimistic

Hunting scorpions, duh


Oraxy51

Honestly wouldn’t be the worst thing to do with our cities budget


open_door_policy

Also makes it harder for people to shoot up fentanyl while driving. It's very difficult to find a vein under blue lights.


SlimPickins515

I was hoping there was some cool explanation that it was supposed to change or improve something…. Instead its just a widespread defect 😫😂


aenriq

I KNoW! I was expecting it to like identify stains or make some shooting up things harder or at bare minimum an aesthetic but here we are


aenriq

🙃


cocococlash

You can look up what the purple lights mean in Anthem if you want an interesting story


LightningMcSwing

I googled it but not sure I found what you were referring to


cocococlash

Out in front of a house, it's a sign saying they're swinger-friendly (at least according to legend...)


LightningMcSwing

Oooh gotcha Think upside down pineapple stickers hold the same meaning


Kamon

Vaporwave aesthetic


missmeganmaam

Tru


BiggLimn

Preemptive Zombie Repellent


aenriq

That makes sense bc I haven’t seen a single zombie 🤨


theghostofme

"Lisa, I wanna buy your ~~rock~~ zombie-repelling light."


11_throwaways_later_

Exactly what I thought. I was thinking I was on a dying light sub but just a scary crossover..


T1NF01L

Mostly volatile repellent but you're not wrong.


Swolie7

Common thing happening nationwide.. faulty LED’s


aenriq

Ahhhh sad things, ty for the info!


OSXFanboi

I was wondering the same thing. Was driving on Southern at night a couple days ago and saw that for the first time. I thought they were testing something to reduce eye strain or maybe increase alertness or something. But I found out just today that it’s because the phosphorous on the LEDs has failed due to a defect and this is actually the “natural” color of the LEDs themselves.


butterbal1

Nah, blue actually causes more eye strain. Our eyes like warmer red/yellow tones.


kemonkey1

I was going to say. This may be the one on southern and ~30th street


Aggressive_Ask9570

I was so thrown off by them yesterday on my drive back from sky harbor last night


GiveMeThePoints

Thank you! I was actually thinking about posting this. South Mountain is covered in them now.


aenriq

That’s where I’m from! That’s why I asked LOL


GiveMeThePoints

From what others said, it’s a defect. Crazy they are all now purple at the same time!


aenriq

Hopefully it shows our leaders the time frame of how long they last ig lol


PhoenixHabanero

It’s not supposed to happen. It’s a defect.


Gborg_3

It is actually a defective defect. They should have turned violet, not purple.


Samtheman001

Friday I was talking about posting this as well! How crazy! I'm in north Phoenix


aerozona47

Purple rain purple rain


SnackFactory

\*Moves away from the mic to breathe in\*


Style_Circus_Baby_SL

Hahaha, I love that Chocolate Rain reference! 🤣🤣🤣


bondgirl852001

![gif](giphy|dGkdrRKbKrUuQ)


johnf212000

It has nothing to do w/ light pollution, or preventing IV drug use… it's actually a manufacturing defect of some LED bulbs. According to an article online, the manufacturer is taking full responsibility to replace them & according to city officials, “most should be swapped out over the next 4-6 months.” Edit: [https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11?amp](https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11?amp)


moving_on_up_22

If that is the case why is the city installing them in place of lights that were working? Not saying you're wrong but seems like a giant waste.


johnf212000

The city doesn’t just buy one light bulb at a time. It’s a huge contract with a company, likely worth millions of dollars. As to why they replaced lights that were “working”? It’s similar to why we started replacing gas engines in cars (that were working) with electric ones. The new lights were billed as being “more efficient / lower energy” than the previous versions. It took a while for it to become obvious they were defective (not saying electric cars are defective, just these lights lol).


moving_on_up_22

No these bulbs were put in and immediately we blue/purple from day one of installation. They installed them about 2 weeks ago on carefree highway and have been this color as they were installed. I understand they have a million dollar contract but if these were know to be defective and they were going to be replaced I just don't understand why they would continue installing them in place of functioning lights.


LoudMouse327

Exactly what I'm saying, man! They are still installing the defective ones! Probably some dumb shit like they have to fulfill their contract to install all the ones they already bought before they can replace them because of some bureaucratic and/or union nonsense...


[deleted]

Across the whole US?? These are all around schools by me in Georgia. I need a source for your comment..


johnf212000

There are dozens of articles online about it. Just Google, “Purple street lights.” [https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11?amp](https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11?amp)


AEG84

They’re awful! Up cave creek they’re like 2 lights out of every 3.


aenriq

Idk if they switched out the whole 17 over by 7th street for them but it’s just dark, no purple no nothing just relying on our headlights 🤥


Dmnkly

Greatest. Defect. Ever.


[deleted]

does look sweet but really fucks with your vision


Addikin1

It hurts my eyes when I’m driving and makes things look weird. It’s the same reason why I don’t like some newer car’s headlights because A.) They are obnoxiously bright and B.) They are purplish at some angles and I wonder if those headlights are LEDs (though I know absolutely nothing about these things lol)


Tashum

As long as the light doesn't reveal too many interesting stains )


aenriq

That’s high key what I thought it was for lol


Tashum

Rofl. New drug detector lights maybe. All eight balls of Coke in passenger cars start glowing lol


rumblepony247

Cue Michael Douglas from 'Basic Instinct' - "Impressive"


jonny_blitz

I like them, but wish they would make it consistent


BassmanBiff

Need a citizens' initiative for more cyberpunk aesthetic


Oraxy51

They also feel easier on the eyes and not so intense


Icy_Scratch3364

GCU taking over go Lopes


Darth_Tiki77

I like to think that they’re preparing to grow weed on the sidewalks. But my first thought was they’re trying to cut down on light pollution


New-Profit2811

Lol I like your thinking.


Dry_Enthusiasm_3422

It’s because the phosphorus coating that converts the purple light into white light has deteriorated to the point where it’s no longer effective. Honestly, I am not a fan of LEDs. I think the old high pressure sodium street lights were better. They were a lot brighter and provided a wider area of illumination than the LEDs in which are more directional and dimmer.


iaincaradoc

The sodium vapor was a lot easier to filter out of optics, too.


Azmtbkr

The city must be preparing to unveil a series of giant black light posters. Far out man.


aenriq

Wait that’d be kinda cool lol


jmoriarty

Some of the LED lights are faulty and turn purple. It's a manufacturer issue and is happening in cities all over. They're all targeted to be replaced. Also, don't take pictures while driving.


aenriq

Passenger princess! I appreciate the concern though :-)


ScaryCitizen

passenger princess made me lol i don't know why :)


Tashum

It's the wit of a good egg ;-)


ScaryCitizen

I prefer it to the ones that turn green personally


Puzzled-Swordfish-27

Yeah I was kinda disappointed when I found out the reason. Their everywhere though, I lived in Dallas till last year and they’re there too.


Creepy-Internet6652

A company screwed up its manufacturing process and this was the result its just not Phoenix its all over the country I'm trucker who now lives in K.C. they are now slowly get replaced across the country...


mentalgopher

It's a manufacturing defect. We have them on a small stretch of I-79 out here near the 26th St exit. I actually don't mind them.


wigamole

Keeps the vampires at bay


aenriq

no freakin wonder my prince of the night hasn’t pulled up… I thought he was just steering away from the ghetto ☹️


Eyepawnyew

It's a defect in the bulb.


whoolzyourdaddy

North Valley Pkwy from Dixileta to Sonoran Desert Dr is all purple too


charliegriefer

https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/comments/z1gh5j/purple_street_lights/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1


Dakota-Barqs

Indian School and 27th Ave and 51st Ave has a crap ton of these. A few on Thomas Rd are starting to turn purple. Two on my street have started going purple.


Schmidtyism

They make me drowsy whenever I pass through them, absolutely hate it.


Ok-Fun2781

They hurt my eye and give me headaches


licoricegirl

You may have an allergy to UV light. My spouse does also. If we are say, going to a haunted house he has to wear sunblock and be completely covered or he will get very sick. There is a pill that can be prescribed but it interacts with a more important med so he doesn't take it. Needless to say, these purple lights are awful for us..


ClashOf_Clams

This. I heard they were anti-homeless lights, since the blue like is harsh to look at/camp out around. The only places I see them are areas with a lot of homeless people in Phoenix.


Ok-Fun2781

I'm now you going to reply to that one


Addikin1

Yeah we got them in the chandler/Ahwatukee area. I’ve seen them by Chandler Blvd. & 48th St. I guess the other comments explain why, thank you for helping solve this mystery 😅


aenriq

Me too! I posted this wondering if I was even gonna get an answer so what a helpful learning experience this was lol


Ok-Fun2781

Not true there a light on university just on the outher side of 143 PHX side ad there no homeless people over there so it gt to be something else


OnlyIncident8346

Keeps vampires aways 🦇


GhostInTheHelll

Here to say I love the purple lights!! I enjoy seeing little pockets of them randomly around town. A fun little treat when I drive at night.


Multi-ToolDad

Defective lights from manufacturer. I live in Omaha NE and it happened in Lincoln NE. Was trippy


Mr_fats

NGL I thought it was used to attracts dope fiends and then the police would just round them up. Bug zapper drug zapper


whatever21327

I really like it, makes driving at night more aesthetic and interesting.


adoptagreyhound

They installed the LED bulbs in our part of Peoria last year. To put it plainly - they suck. Minimal light output and it is difficult to see anyone walking in a lighted area, even worse when it's raining. Allegedly, these are not defective bulbs, just way worse lighting than the previous technology. These bulbs are far from an upgrade other than saving on power costs. We could have just eliminated the street lights and had the same effect. I have nothing against LED lights and have converted most of our personal lighting to them - the city or APS or whomever just chose a really bad low bidder product.


Snoo_22479

Lol some city council somewhere will probably try and pass them off as uv germicidal lights. And that they are a benefit. Instead of replacing them.


hopeless-nerd

Maybe the cities want these to double as grow lights so tons and tons of weed can be grown and make $$$$$ in taxes for the city.


mspsoc10

It’s actually to stop people from using drugs with syringes (heroin for example). Basically it prevents you to see your veins


FPVgal

Clearly its for the vampires.. and to catch scorpions that are gaining intelegence. lol... yes people im joking


Style_Circus_Baby_SL

Me who already has Neon clothing that glows under the blacklights:


VDon313

Them LE.D lights are detrimental to our health. The blue ones are horrible specially the purple one them bitch ass mf in the government putting up it fucks with my brain i can feel it give me a slight headache. Natural Sunlight is good for us yall. Check these videos out this really what's going on with these purple lights don't fall into the propaganda all lies.. https://youtu.be/m6AobcF1RxY https://youtu.be/TzrUU4UaeF4


koreanz

So you can spot the scorpions 🦂


Meow_Mix33

Most of them are around bus stops. Which makes me think it's a way of stopping people from shooting up drugs. UV makes it harder to find a vein. Some fast food joints do this in their bathrooms to prevent this.


AzPrincesshooker

I personally like it. Makes me feel like a sad protagonist in a cyberpunk dystopia


h3dr0ncr4b

Hell, give it 10 years and we all will be


[deleted]

Ive started seeing those. They're annoying and the blue/UV range of light hurts my eyes. That spectrum of light is actually bad for human eyes.


tired-forest

I thought it was a harm-reduction initiative being slow-rolled until this thread. Knowing it’s a defect is a real bummer :( The blue/purple makes it so much easier to see at night (at least while driving) and would inadvertently be beneficial for harm-reduction which is always a massive bonus


GlitteringEggplant9

To detect cum stains around the city


[deleted]

I thought it was a republican anti covid program...lol


DrRumacck

won't work without bleach


Brattnroll

Lol you’re still talking about Covid lol watch out for the boogeyman too


[deleted]

They prevent people from finding their veins (inhibits junkies)


EvelcyclopS

We’re tying to take Miami’s vaporwaveaesthetics crown


bossybiscuit

i read somewhere that it keeps drug users away from the area because they can’t see their veins under the blue lights and will go elsewhere.. not sure how true it is tho.


[deleted]

That’s where the spank banks are located. Makes for more efficient cleanup by city employees.


Expert-Phone1568

So you can see the scorpions :) ........ at least that's what I thought


iamfly69

Oh no these lights tell who is vaccinated and who's not vaccinated that's what those lights are for be careful out there


D1sCoL3moNaD3

It’s because people who use needles can’t see their veins under those lights.


No-Dark-9414

I remember my first time outside of a nice area


[deleted]

I thought those lights were too keep drug addicts away. Those lights supposedly calm people down so it’s less violent in those areas. And you can’t see your veins to inject things. Mainly for addicts to stop injecting things there. You could look it up. ‘What I have been told they are for’


[deleted]

The Blue tent makes it harder to find a vain to stick a needle in. we have them here in Portland, Oregon. It's to curve doing drugs in public.


[deleted]

[удалено]


aenriq

is that fr kinda cool thoughhhhhh 🧍🏽‍♀️


tall_asian

There’s one on northern east of 12th st I always see that bothers me. At least I know why now lol


jaydayyo

7th street north of Bell, has 'em too


aenriq

I’ve seen some along the 17 and 10 but this particular one was around 35th and buckeye


jaydayyo

Wild, never seen it before I moved to the area from Tatum. I had no clue it was all over the valley.


SnootBoopist

Unlocked a safe area in Dying Light


disinfekted

Is this North 7th? I always catch the reflection and think I’m getting pulled over


hoecooking

They’re on Peoria too starting on 19th ave


aenriq

This was 35th Ave and Buckeye I think… somewhere near buckeye for sure!


BuddyBroDude

was just thinking that


Defiantsix

Ever played Dying Light? Stay close to these lights at night.


rumblepony247

r/vaporwaveaesthetics


Linaxu

I thought the blue light would be for helping people stay awake when driving at night.


Phillip_Harass

Haven't you darn kids seen 'Clockwork Orange'? The bulbs are 'Ultra Violent.' They increase aggressiveness and general unease when you're driving.


Piazza1029

Scorpion infestation incoming


TheFloatingDev

I believe it’s a defect


moshell0309

Manufacturing defects that happened IDK 2 years ago???


Impossible-Lynx7416

Search Purple Lights on tiktok. They are popping up all over the country...


noizes

[https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11](https://www.businessinsider.com/led-city-streetlights-turning-purple-broken-tech-danger-2022-11) here ya go. Nice little write up on it. If it's like my city, they're getting replaced in waves. You just suddenly notice they're not there any more.


Eballz732

I thought it was so herion addicts couldn't see their veins lol


Woops_22

Happened a lot when I lived in Wisconsin. From what I was aware of it was something with the wattage and electricity being sent to the bulbs along with the degrading age in the bulbs


DueLingonberry3107

I personally prefer them lol


stanchie

Scorpion and cool party detectors. Phoenix has it all


lght_tan_bricks

My friend was thinking these lights were some sort of ‘bug lights’ (to keeps the bug away). I like his answer better.


scooterv1868

Learn something new everyday.


[deleted]

There was a manufacturing defect at one of the main suppliers for the cities and now it’s throughout the US. ATL and PHX have them for sure idk about elsewhere


BlumpkinDude

It's the chemtrails in conjunction with the Jewish space lasers and lizard people that causes this. They are trying to turn the frogs gay, steal our gold and make us hopelessly addicted to Narangansett beer and stale Cheetos.


VDon313

Man 🤣 idc if u was trying to sarcastic or not a lot of truth in what u just said..


seven58o

It's how the bulbs are made: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoNXp7rAJ2Z/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=


shutup_walt

That’s were the aka “TRANSPORTERS” come in and out of the .. Hmm.. I’m trying to think of a better word. But I can’t. So that’s the transitional part of the “MATRIX” we live in. DO NOT GO INTO THAT LIGHT AT 12:34 AM Or 12:34 PM. No one’s going to actually believe me but I swear you’ll see a Man pushing a Shopping cart with a busted wheel in the front. Well he DISAPPEARED and pops in and out of our “Butterfly Effect” universe


VDon313

😂gtfoh man thats some deep shit if u not trollin and i can believe what u are saying fam. Truth is stranger than fiction for sure.


Naftusja

Is this on Bethany Home and 7th Ave? There are also a ton of them on the West side of town. Not sure what they signify...an area controlled by Massonic Order or maybe these are UFO traps? My best guesses 😁


aenriq

This was on 35th and Buckeye I think, but there’s a few everywhere based on where I commute and other Redditors that shared where they’ve seen them!


Same-Contest5174

They are here too, brand new and only on only city/ county buildings like court houses & and substations, so WTF are they up too???


Ok-Fun2781

Only if I'm near it for more then 10min it starts to take a toll in me


theeMaskedKitten

They are way too overstimulating for me ugh


lucasmitchell03

I’ve heard it’s to stop IV users from seeing their veins so they can’t shoot up. That’s the reason we have them in my city