Introduction

‘ProRail connects, improves and becomes more sustainable’, is our mission. The Lighting Programme by ProRail fleshes out this mission.

Throughout the implementation of our programme, we have always sought to connect with all stakeholders who benefit from proper station lighting. Since it involves a multi-year programme, we were able to invest in good relationships and build mutual understanding. Not just with administrators, but end users such as visually impaired travellers, local residents and municipalities as well. On top of replacing the functional station lighting, the Lighting Programme set out to make station lighting future-proof. Which requires energy efficiency as well as pleasant light and ease of maintenance. By seeking to connect with stakeholders (such sa Visio, monument commissions, residents), we were able to generate understanding and goodwill.

For us, replacing the lights was always about improvement The new fixtures, for instance, produce less stray light. This reduces nuisance to residents and is friendlier to flora and fauna. Furthermore, the new lamps last 5 times longer. This reduces nuisance to travellers and maintenance costs.

Finally, the Lighting Programme makes an important contribution to the improved sustainability of ProRail assets. Station lighting accounts for 30% of ProRail’s total energy consumption. The Lighting Programme contributes to sustainability by realising a 50% energy savings on station lighting. And another 50% is saved by dimming the light in the absence of passengers. In view of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, ProRail has to reduce their energy consumption by 30%. Halving the amount of energy consumed by station lighting means that ProRail saves 15% of the total energy consumption already. With that, the Lighting Programme has realised half of ProRail’s savings target.

Lighting was once a capstone in the design of a building. When the architect was done with the architectural design, the installer would get to fit the lighting installation into the building. Today, lighting science is a multidisciplinary field. Lighting is an integral part of an architectural design, supporting the architecture and concealed out of sight. Multidisciplinary light design means to take into account the architecture, social safety, contrast, glare, light nuisance, flora and fauna, ease of maintenance and administration. That is why we always opted for a multidisciplinary approach to modernising the lighting at existing stations. You will read all about it in this boos.