Built to Last: Stainless Steel LightStar™ M12 Launches with Shipments Beginning in November '25

September 29, 2025

Introducing the LightStar™ M12 — Now in Stainless Steel

LightStar M12 In-Roadway Warning Light - Stainless Steel Image

LightGuard Systems, the inventor of the In-Roadway Warning Light (IRWL) and the original Smart Crosswalk™, is proud to announce the newest generation of our flagship in-roadway warning light — the LightStar™ M12, now built with a stainless steel housing for unmatched strength, longevity, and performance.


For more than three decades, LightGuard Systems has led the industry in pedestrian safety innovation — protecting lives at airports, school zones, and city crosswalks across North America. The new LightStar™ M12 continues that legacy, combining our proven optical performance with enhanced, heavy-duty stainless steel construction designed to withstand the harshest conditions.


Stronger. Smarter. Stainless.


The transition from composite to stainless steel delivers key advantages:

 

  • Superior durability under heavy traffic and snowplow impact
  • Corrosion resistance ideal for coastal and de-icing salt environments
  • Improved thermal stability for consistent LED performance year-round
  • Modern, professional design that complements contemporary infrastructure

 

Featuring SMPL™ – Surface-Mounted Pedestrian Luminaire


The LightStar™ M12 continues to feature LightGuard’s exclusive SMPL™ (Surface-Mounted Pedestrian Luminaire) — a built-in uplight that softly illuminates pedestrians from below at night, enhancing driver awareness and overall crosswalk safety.


While SMPL™ functionality remains the same as in prior LightStar™ models, it will only operate when all in-roadway lights in the crosswalk are upgraded to the M12 or other previous models containing the SMPL feature.


Full Compatibility and Easy Upgrades


The LightStar™ M12 is fully backwards compatible with all previous Smart Crosswalk™ systems and in-roadway warning lights hardware, including:

 

  • Both 10" composite and 13" snowplow blade–resistant steel base plates
  • All existing LightGuard wiring configurations and mounting systems

 

For systems not using our latest model UC (Universal Controller), an upgrade kit is required to enable full SMPL™ functionality.


Shipping Begins November 2025


Production of the stainless steel LightStar™ M12 is complete, with shipments beginning in November.


The Original Smart Crosswalk™ — Reinforced for the Future


As the originator of IRWL and Smart Crosswalk™ technology, LightGuard Systems continues to set the standard for innovation, quality, and safety. The new LightStar™ M12 represents the next evolution in in-roadway lighting — engineered to perform longer, shine brighter, and protect pedestrians better than ever before.


Available Now for Pre-Order


The LightStar™ M12 Stainless Steel model is available now for pre-order. Request a quote today.

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