Carmanah completes Phase 1 of National Standard for LED Warning Signals at Railway Crossings

December 20, 2001
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Vancouver, British Columbia – December 20, 2001 – Carmanah Technologies Corporation (CMH – TSX Venture Exchange) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Carmanah Technologies Inc. (“Carmanah”), has completed Phase 1 of the National Standard for LED Warning Signals at Railway Crossings.

This phase completes a review of the standards in use in other jurisdictions, compares the strengths and weaknesses of LED and incandescent technologies, and reviews the scientific and technical findings that lead to a recommended specification. “LEDs offer improved safety in the form of greater light output and improved beam pattern when compared to the incandescent lighting currently in use,” says Dr. David Green, Ph.D., C.T.O. and founder of Carmanah Technologies Inc. “Implementation of this new National Standard should result in fewer railway crossing accidents in Canada.”

In 2000, there were 458 fatalities involving railway crossing accidents in North America, including 33 fatalities and 33 serious injuries in Canada. Railway crossing accidents account for the largest percentage of all rail-related fatalities.

In September, 2001 Carmanah hosted 12 representatives of Transport Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway. The objective was to review the company’s laboratory tests and to participate in a field test of five types of LED-based light assemblies which may be used as part of the new National Standard.

In February, 2001 Carmanah was awarded a $112,000 contract by Transport Canada to develop the new National Standard for warning signals at road/railway grade crossings. A final recommendation for the National Standard will be presented to Transport Canada in early 2002.

To facilitate discussion across Canada, Carmanah has developed the website
www.railwaycrossings.com, which presents the complete Phase 1 report and includes a discussion forum.