Originally Posted by supcom
. . . A reflective construction vest is a good item. . . .
I second this. I've seen cyclists' vests before I've seen their lights. It's also higher up where drivers are looking. As to lighting, a 15w halogen is good, but buy the best lights that fit your budget. Keep an eye on HID's at Performance and Nashbar. For a night commuter, it's more important than an upgraded drive train. The HID will help you to see whether that dark spot on the road is a discoloration, and oil slick, or a hole.
Also, have a backup plan for when the battery dies during your commute. A be-seen LED with good batteries is far better than nothing. And carry extra batteries for the back up.
I love early morning commutes. Enjoy.