I don’t know the details regarding his sole source claim. I’m not here to bash him. I will say that seems odd and counter to how the bid process usually works. I can guarantee you that if they achieved sole source in one municipality or even state that it won’t transfer across to other states.
If I understand the reference to the “flush” need it’s the paradox of the product. It actually needs to be angled for the water and tire to clean the product. Otherwise it gets grime build up, so more of an issue for something relying on solar power. Back in the day we were focused on using special battery technology. With the progress in that area I’m surprised there isn’t more focus on it.
Also, he mentioned moving from one to three LED to get wider coverage. I’d have to rewatch more carefully but smart use of optics will spread the light where you need it - same as a car taillight. Also, it was hard to tell from the website but the projected area where the LED was housed looks vertical which again wouldn’t be conducive to staying clean. Again, it might be fine just hard to tell from picture.
His comment on installation was a bit sophomoric. Installing 2000 isn’t like installing 200000. If installed properly, the old iron ones simply do not come out. In fact, the epoxy is stronger than the asphalt. Usually the crew has not offset the casting from the crown of the road properly and the asphalt breaks up along the seam. Concrete is a different story. If this company is going to own the installation then they can control it. That’s not a bad model as the installation made millionaires out of some shrewd contractors instead of the OEM.
Like I said, the company could do well but nothing special about the product. Not sure if the presenter is that knowledgeable in the workings of the industry but it could be the audience he had to convince.
