6 minute read

It’s Football Time in Tennessee

Lighting Up Rocky Top with Color-Changing Bollards 

By Randy Reid 

Photo credit: City of Knoxville 

On 29 August, just two days before the University of Tennessee's season kickoff, I sat down at Calhoun's in Knoxville with the key players behind the city's latest lighting innovation. Sharing baby back ribs and sweet tea in a setting that felt like a Saturday tailgate were Dave Thomas and Ginger Jamrog of LED Lighting Concepts, Logan Haynes of Knoxville’s Engineering Department Signal Shop, and Peter Augusta, Casambi’s North America General Manager.

After dinner, we headed to a prime viewing spot where Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon flipped the switch, illuminating the Henley Street Bridge in a dazzling display of orange and white. This event marked the debut of a transformative lighting project that combines energy efficiency with visual impact.

For the first time in six years, decorative lighting has returned to the street-level deck of the Henley Street Bridge. The city upgraded 180 bollard lights with energy-efficient, color-changing LED technology, turning the bridge into a symbol of community pride. Starting with the University of Tennessee’s orange and white, these lights can be programmed to celebrate a variety of events and causes, connecting the city to its residents in vibrant new ways.

A VERSATILE LIGHTING SOLUTION

The system’s versatility extends far beyond school spirit. The bridge will soon feature pink lights for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and red, white, and blue for Election Day in November. Mayor Kincannon emphasized the project’s broad appeal, saying “We’re excited to have found a cost-effective solution that will again allow us to program the bridge lights in almost any color combination to celebrate local festivals, public events, and causes that Knoxvillians hold near and dear to their hearts.”

The return of these lights represents more than just an aesthetic improvement. Peter Augusta of Casambi explained, “This is a great example of the power of the Casambi open ecosystem. Our partner, LED Lighting Concepts, has built a product that is now making outdoor lighting more accessible, less expensive, more durable, and more beautiful.”

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LIGHTING CONTRACTORS

The Knoxville project illustrates the potential for lighting contractors to partner with municipalities in creating dazzling energy-efficient showcases. By advocating for similar upgrades, contractors can improve public spaces and build a reputation for innovation and sustainability. Every contractor reading this can approach their city and encourage the replacement of HPS or metal halide lamps with LED Lighting Concepts’ RGBW lamps and a Casambi module.

The brilliance is in the simplicity. What town or city isn’t proud of its hometown college team? And what better way to show that pride than by lighting up the city or a landmark in those college colors—or any color, for that matter?

A WINNING PARTNERSHIP

This lighting upgrade is the result of a collaboration between LED Lighting Concepts, the City of Knoxville, and Casambi. At the event, Ginger Jamrog of LED Lighting Concepts noted, “We are so grateful to the City of Knoxville, particularly Logan Haynes and his Signal Engineering team, for allowing us the opportunity to designate the Henley Street Bridge as the flagship project for our new lamps and for believing enthusiastically in our vision.” This project marks a significant shift from traditional hardwired systems to a cost-effective Casambi Bluetooth mesh technology offering remote control and programming from anywhere.

The Knoxville Signal Shop details the design of the new lights and showcases the new control system. 
Source: City of Knoxville https://www.youtube.com/@cityofknox

Dave Thomas recalled, “We originally started looking at Bluetooth for another project at the University of Tennessee. Over time, we developed this technology specifically for the bridge. Our goal was to create a solution that didn’t require digging up streets and disrupting the area, so we turned to wireless DMX and Bluetooth landscape lighting.” This innovative approach kept costs down and provided a user-friendly system that city employees could manage with minimal training.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES WITH INNOVATION

Mayor Kincannon praised the project’s cost-effectiveness and the city’s support for a local, woman-owned business while underscoring the system’s durability and energy efficiency.

Logan Haynes, the City’s Signal Lighting Coordinator, played a crucial role in implementing the new system. Despite having no formal training, Logan successfully set up the network, paired the devices, and managed troubleshooting with remote assistance from Casambi experts.

“Logan did 90% of the programming. He tried to learn it, got it all connected, and when questions arose, Casambi’s team remotely adjusted the settings to enhance the system’s performance,” said Dave Thomas.

Eric Vreeland, Deputy Director of Communications for the City of Knoxville, highlighted the community’s role in the project: “We take requests from the public. If someone has a big festival or a 5K run for a cause, they can program the colors on the bridge. It’s a moving experience for a lot of people.”

While white is the default color, there’s a strong demand for commemorative lighting, and Vreeland and his team strive to accommodate local requests.

After the ceremony, Mayor Kincannon explained to me that the color had to be perfect, saying, “We didn’t want any kind of Clemson orange or Texas orange or, God-forbid, Florida orange. It had to be UT orange, and that’s what we ended up with.”

LIGHTING THE PATH FORWARD

The original Henley Street Bridge lights, installed as part of a $24.6 million reconstruction project beginning in 2011, were hardwired using DMX cables. These old systems were prone to moisture damage and other issues that caused the entire string to fail if one light went out. The newly installed Casambi Bluetooth mesh system resolves these issues and offers seamless programming via a password-protected city device, be it a phone or an iPad.

Knoxville's initiative sets a powerful example for other cities, demonstrating how lighting solutions can enhance a community’s connection to its landmarks. The Henley Street Bridge will continue to feature colors that reflect Knoxville’s spirit, with schedules and themes posted on the city’s website.

The blend of advanced technology and local expertise can produce transformative outcomes, lighting the way for communities nationwide. Knoxville has scored a winning touchdown in the game of lighting—delivering a sleek, efficient system that’s as easy to install as it is to celebrate.

Combine unbridled college pride with exceptional light quality, RGBW color-changing capabilities, wireless individual control, reduced maintenance, and energy efficiency. It’s an easy sell.

It’s time to light the lights! On Mayor Kincannon’s signal, Ginger Jamrog and Dave Thomas flip the switch, illuminating the Henley Street Bridge.
Source: City of Knoxville https://www.youtube.com/@cityofknox
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