20 Hilversum, custom, pigeon-proof canopy fixtures

Just like Amersfoort Centraal, Hilversum station features a historic canopy and a matching modern canopy. The canopies and platforms in Hilversum are heavily soiled by pigeon faeces and nests. The platform underneath the canopies is lit with indirect lighting through uplighters illuminating the canopy.

Due to a growing number of passengers, Hilversum has developed from a Plus station to a Mega station. The lighting did not meet the standard for a Mega-type station of 70 lux on the covered platform. To increase the illuminance around the tactile paving, we added line fixtures above the tactile paving. The line fixtures were mounted on the grey longitudinal profiles. The cables were concealed inside the profile.

The uplighters under the canopy were fitted with pigeon pins to prevent soiling by pigeons. However, the uplighters attract mosquitoes and spiders. Spider webs accumulating around the pigeon pins were very visible in the light of the uplighters and made for a messy look at night. In fact, a dead pigeon was once found impaled on the pins, which is obviously not good for the social safety perception.

The pins were then removed and replaced by an anti-pigeon system with 2 electric conductors to give pigeons an electric shock. This system was installed along all the (train hall) roof trusses and along all the fixtures. This requires additional maintenance and the nuisance caused by pigeons returns soon after the system malfunctions.

When replacing the old uplighters, we chose to skew the pane of the uplighter 30 degrees. As a result, pigeons will slide off (see photo). The uplighter beam is still directed upwards and only the pane is skewed, keeping the fixture clean.

Tips and conclusions:

– The pigeon problem was first solved with pigeon pins and then with electric wire. When replacing the fixtures, we were able to implement a better solution by adjusting the shape of the fixture. Conclusion: Smart design works better than all kinds of additional remedies.

– When a station develops from Plus to Mega, updating the lighting to meet the standard is often impossible. Luckily, the Lighting Programme could incorporate this in Hilversum.