Preface

This book is about the realisation of sustainable lighting at 400 ProRail stations in the Netherlands between 2015 and 2022. Sustainable lighting is part of the ProRail climate goals and was executed by ProRail’s Lighting Programme. For the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, ProRail had to reduce their energy consumption by 30% before 2020. Sustainable lighting contributes to this goal. LED lighting saves 50% relative to fluorescent light. And another 50% can be saved by dimming in the absence of passengers.

Lighting design has developed significantly in recent years. In the past, station lighting was mainly functional. At present we include aspects such as accessibility, glare, maintainability, social safety, architecture, wayfinding, possible nuisance to local residents, flora and fauna. As it turns out, these aspects and interests are often at odds with each other. That is why we seek the most optimal solution in consultation with the stakeholders.

With this book, the Lighting Programme wants to share the experience and knowledge gained on sustainable station lighting. How did we reach certain solutions and what lessons have we learned? We will focus on designers at ProRail and engineers and consulting partners. We hope this book will inspire professionals at municipalities, public transport companies and other owners of (semi) public spaces as well. Just like lighting fixture and controller manufacturers.

In 2020, Bureau Spoorbouwmeester described what we want to achieve with station lighting in a policy document titled 'Handboek Verlichting op stations' [Station Lighting Handbook]. The goal is a clean, whole and safe, sustainable and comfortable station. This book is about how we will achieve those goals. Based on concrete examples: what does and does not work at a specific station when it comes to designing and realising lighting plans?

We will not be focusing on the aesthetics of a lighting design or how to make it. We invite the reader to make their own judgements. To put it in the words of revered designers Ootje Oxenaar and Paul Mijksenaar: “I can’t teach you what is beautiful. If I show you good designs, you will learn what is beautiful all on your own.”

Maurits Pigeaud Tjebbe Ruskamp Systems Engineer Programme Manager Lighting Programme Lighting Programme