TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
How high does the world's tallest service truck reach at maximum extension?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] Obama to Install LEDs at Pentagon
The latest step in the renovation of the Pentagon will include the installation of more than 4,200 energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures from Cree in Wedge 5 of the building. The fixtures use 22 percent less energy than the fluorescent lights they are replacing, contain no mercury or other toxic substances, and provide better light quality. An analysis showed a payback of less than four years. There will be a ceremony and demonstration at the Pentagon with John Kubricky, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Advanced Systems and Concepts, and Albert C. Ellet, director of the Washington Headquarters Service.
This news ties in with President Elect Barack Obama's plans to promote green building and specifically energy efficiency through lighting. LEDs will be a key part of these efforts as the most energy-efficient solution on the market. Obama knows the importance of Cree's work -- he even made a stop at the company's headquarters during the primaries.
The Cree LR24 luminaires have undergone extensive government testing and business-case analysis, including a preliminary Pentagon installation to meter the fixtures and compare the results to the alternative fluorescent technology. This independent analysis demonstrated a 22-percent reduction in energy usage and improved light quality.
The business-case analysis yielded a payback of less than four years. The payback analysis considered energy savings, lifetime maintenance savings, savings from reduced load on the HVAC system, and elimination of hazardous waste disposal fees for mercury-laden fluorescent bulbs. Extensive modeling was also performed to determine optimal lighting design -- analyzing the light distribution and spacing to ensure superior lighting and energy efficiency. The Wedge 5 installation is estimated to save 140 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
"The U.S. federal government is taking a leadership role in energy efficiency for federal buildings both through existing mandates, as well as President-elect Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which calls for the renovation of public buildings to make them more energy efficient," said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and chief executive officer. "Installations of highly efficient, low-maintenance LED lighting, like these in the Pentagon and in the U.S. Federal Reserve, demonstrate that the future of energy-efficient lighting is here today."
The LR24 units being used for the Pentagon renovation are being purchased from Cree by the Department of Defense's (DoD) Title III program as a part of its ongoing development program with Cree, and provided to the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), which oversees the Pentagon renovation program.
"The Title III program has long supported the development and deployment of SiC substrates and devices for use in high-power RF and power-switching applications for DoD systems," said John Palmour, Ph.D., Cree co-founder and chief technology officer for advanced devices. "The program realized the importance of ensuring a strong domestic supply of SiC substrates and related devices, and the potential growth of solid-state lighting in the U.S. This Pentagon lighting project is a perfect example of stimulating America's leadership in high-technology manufacturing yielding unique commercial and defense products, while saving energy. Title III funding was also used to develop the technology in Cree's lighting class XLamp XR-E LED platform -- the light source in the LR24 recessed LED luminaire."
Nexxus Lighting Brightens Up New Jersey
Under a thick layer of dust, dirt, and disuse lies one of Hoboken, New Jersey's last hidden treasures -- the Hoboken Ferry Terminal. With its high vaulted ceilings, tarnished copper faŤade, and authentic turn-of-the-century Tiffany stained glass windows, the abandoned ferry terminal was only a shell of its original incarnation: a bustling transportation focal point where 30,000 daily commuters hop a ferry to travel into Manhattan.
Recently New York/New Jersey Port Authority Executive Director Joseph Seymour and New Jersey Transit Executive Director George Warrington signed an agreement that has led to the restoration of the historic Hoboken Terminal ferry slips and supporting infrastructure, at an expected cost of approximately $125 million. The renovations included reconstructing a portion of the building's substructure and superstructure, restoring the building's roof and Tiffany skylights, refurbishing the terminal's old clock tower, restoring the copper fascia on the exterior of the building and waterproofing, insulating the exterior walls near the ferry slips, restoring the interior finishes of the ferry terminal area, and performing utility and marine work to support the new ferry operation.
Nexxus Lighting, Inc. (www.nexxuslighting.com) announced that its Advanced Lighting Systems business unit (www.advancedlighting.com) completed the fiber optic lighting portion of the project for the Hoboken Ferry Terminal last summer. Advanced Lighting Systems provided architectural lighting for the bridges and towers using frosted "A" lamps, as well as a fiber optic track system around the clock. "They were most interested in keeping the historic look but using a future technology within the historical guidelines," explains Mitch Gaida, sales manager for Advanced Lighting Systems.
Now how does a company acquire a government contract to perform all of the restorations on a project at this scale? In Advanced Lighting's case, they used Encore Sales Agency (www.encorelighting.com) to sell it for them. Originally New Jersey Transit hired Tishman Construction (www.tishmanconstruction) to run the project. Tishman hired the architects, who in turn brought aboard the engineers, lighting designers, and sub-contractors. The lighting designers then turned to Encore Sales Agency, who assisted them in creating the lighting for the project in hand (while carefully balancing the aesthetics and the budget provided for the project).
There are over 1,000 lamps being used in this project, with each bulb using 40 watts each. "You're talking about 40,000 watts of electricity being used," says Gaida.
Advanced Lighting used 80 illuminators, and each illuminator uses a 150-watt Metal Halide lamp keeping the terminal "green" using only one forth the electric at 12,000 watts. In addition, 1,030 Acrylic "A" lamps were used with over ten miles of fiber optic cable. "We kept the illuminators in easy access locations (on the roof) for the terminal, and on each floor of the Clock Tower, so when the lamps would go out, it would be an easy change out," explains Gaida.
Seymour expects the renovation will substantially strengthen the region's transportation options. "The Port Authority has worked aggressively to bolster the regions ferry network, particularly during the past eighteen months," stated Director Seymour. "Today, ferries handle nearly 70,000 passenger trips a day to and from Manhattan, and we expect commuters to continue to use the service as they realize the substantial benefits this form of transportation provides."
It has been noticed that having a renovated ferry terminal with a retail component will inevitably attract positive attention. Now that it is all said and done, the Hoboken Terminal remains a shining example as one of the largest and best transportation hubs in the entire region.
--Brook DeWitt
Wayfinding With a Voice: NYC Introduces 'Talking Kiosk'
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and MTA Long Island Rail Road recently unveiled a "talking kiosk" to help visually impaired and other customers navigate the concourses, passageways and platforms of Pennsylvania Station. The kiosk features a touch-activated, tactile map of the station, vivid visual displays for the partially sighted, and a voice designed for phonetic clarity. As a customer touches different parts of the map, the kiosk describes the corresponding location and gives directions of how to get there. It also offers general information about Penn Station and the Long Island Rail Road.
The kiosk is the second permanent talking kiosk located on the Long Island Rail Road concourse. The new version has expanded functionality and an improved user interface, a smaller size and a convenient wall-mounted position. It costs $23,000, or less than half the cost of the previous model, which was removed earlier this year.
"The installation of this kiosk is just one of the many ways we are making transit more accessible to our disabled customers," said Elliot G. Sander, Executive Director and CEO of the MTA. "And while it is designed with visually impaired customers in mind, this kiosk is useful for anybody who is unfamiliar with Penn Station."
"At the Long Island Rail Road, we understand that access to public transportation is a key to independence, employment and full community participation for people with disabilities," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "The talking kiosk is just part of the effort the LIRR is making to increase accessibility for customers with disabilities, including those who are blind or have visual impairments. We are working hard to ensure that our facilities are accessible and that individuals with disabilities can safely board, ride and exit our trains. Our goal is to make people with disabilities comfortable riding the LIRR."
The kiosk is located in the Long Island Rail Road's main concourse, between the entrances to Tracks 14 and 15. To help visually impaired customers find the kiosk, the kiosk emits the song of the lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), a bird species native to the American West that is found by audiologists to have a unique set of phonetic properties that make it most effective at assisting in directional wayfinding.
New Appointments
Show+Tell
announced its President and Founder, Philip Lenger, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD). Mr. Lenger will serve a three-year term on the board, which contributes greatly to the vitality of the organization.
SEGD (www.segd.org) is the global community for people who work at the intersection of communication design and the built environment. Founded in 1974 and originally named the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, SEGD has grown into an international educational foundation with over 1200 members.
Inca Digital Printers,
the inkjet printing specialist, announced the appointment of Dr. Linda Bell as CEO, effective on February 1, 2009. Dr. Bell has a strong track record of transforming technical businesses in the industrial sector on a global scale. After gaining her DPhil(Oxon) in Inorganic Chemistry, she held senior commercial and business development roles with ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries PLC) for 17 years, managing a range of manufacturing operations and sales networks. In 2001 she was appointed Managing Director of Servomex Group Ltd, a gas analysis instrumentation manufacturer, where she successfully transformed worldwide operations.
Meetings and Events
FEBRUARY
Feb 23 - 24: United Applications Standards Group testing, held at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, call 612/209-9703 or visit www.usag.org.
Feb 24 - 26: Digital Signage Expo, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit www.digitalsignageexpo.net.
Feb 26 - 28: Graphics of the Americas 2009 Conference & Expo, Miami Beach, Florida. To learn more, visit www.graphicsoftheamericas.com.
Sponsored Links
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This Month's Trivia Answer:
Bronto Skylift's Model S 331 HLA truck-mounted aerial device features a 331-foot working height.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other
sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the February 2009 Digital Sign Expo issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Large Format Digital Printing
Dimensional CNC Routers
Electronic Digital Signs
LED Channel Letters/Sign Cabinets
HDU Sign Blanks
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the March 2009 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Awning Design
Dimensional Sandblasting
LED Video Displays
Magnet Applications
Polycarbonate Fabrication
Vinyl Installation
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today.
As the premier e-newsletter for the sign industry, SBI Update encourages readers to send feedback on what you like, what you'd like to see, and any other comments you might have. To do so, send an e-mail to Managing Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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© 2009 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
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CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4 lets you tackle creative graphics and design projects with confidence. The new tools, market-leading file compatibility and updated high-quality content help you turn your creative ideas into professional results. Enter coupon code 3816 for a $30 discount on the Corel Store. FIND OUT MORE!
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PlasmaCAM CNC Cutting Systems
Easily cut metal and other materials using a CNC system. Visit our new site and we will ship you a FREE demo video! Visit us here: PlasmaCAM
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The CaptiVue product line continues to advance as Trans-Lux develops more ways for sign companies and their customers to be successful. Yet as new features and benefits are introduced, the legendary quality of CaptiVue remains the same. Trans-Lux has made the CaptiVue line even stronger with a number of product enhancements. Find out more by clicking here: CaptiVue
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Experience just how easy it can be with the latest print/cut solution from Mimaki. The CJV30 Series is an integrated print/cut system that automatically contour cuts without any in-between steps for custom shapes and dramatic curves. It's fully loaded with high-performance features and bundled software for producing vibrant color and flawless print quality. For information, click here: Mimaki USA
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Electric Signs:
Designing for Compliance to UL 48 Learn from UL experts in our comprehensive one-day workshop, where you will learn the language of UL 48 and how to apply the key terms used in the Standard. Register for any UL University workshop and receive 15% off with discount code SBI0109. Find out more by clicking here: UL University
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Stimpson Fasteners
Made in the U.S.A.
Shipped Worldwide Stimpson Company, Inc., has 3,800 different styles of eyelets, grommets, and washers to meet the requirements of our customers. Our fasteners are unmatched for quality and supported by on-time delivery and attractive pricing. We are celebrating our 157th year in business and ship over 3 billion parts annually around the world. Please call a Customer Service Rep at 877-765-0748. Stimpson
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Sign Builder Illustrated presents:
Vehicle Graphics 101 Check out this special SBI supplement for all the information you need to get started, get good, and get profitable in the world of vehicle graphics. From wrap schools and required tools, to marketing your skills and paying the bills, this How-to supplement has it all. Check out the digital version here:
Vehicle Graphics 101
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Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1 Learn secrets to fabricating neon, illuminating with LED, sandblasting signs, applying paints, cutting and printing vinyl, and more in this 288-page, full-color reprinting of Sign Builder Illustrated's trademark How-To articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on: SBI How-To Book
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Buyer's Guide 2008
Published twice per year in March and September, the Buyer's Guide lists manufacturers, distributors, and sign companies that comprise the industry in the U.S. and Canada. SBI Buyer's Guide
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes Digital With live hyperlinks to video clips, advertiser information, and other features, SBI Digital offers the newest online technology with the familiar layout of a hardcopy issue. To view an example, click on:
SBI Digital Magazine
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Nexxus Lights Up NJ