Making Your Lighting Pay
Site problems
It was considered that some of the car parks under the scheme were not being fully utilised, whereas others were suffering from traffic congestion, due to over-demand at certain times of the day. Improved parking information could lead to
safer driving behaviour within the town centre, as drivers are guided straight to an available space. Case studies have shown a reduction of up to 30 per cent in search time in major cities –and also that, following the introduction of a PGI system, there is likely to be 10 to 15 per cent increase in patronage of under-utilised car parks. Roger Stainforth, is the current chairman
of the Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management and deputy chairman of Variable Message Signs. He thinks that such systems do improve motorists’ behaviour and that electronic signs are becoming more popular because they manage traffic effectively. He said: ‘Costs have come down a lot over the
last decade. A standard system costs in the order of £7,000 to £8,000.’ He believes that products like the Pegasus Urban
MS4 sign, which his firm unveiled at Parkex 2010 earier this year, demonstrate what is now possible. It draws on improvements in LED technology performance, reliability, and message setting capabilities flowing from the latest generation of high-resolution motorway sign designs. Such products may go some way to improving the
quality of information available to motorists. It will be interesting to see how they are affected by the current review of legislation.
Electronic signs can help manage traffic effectively.
Looking forwards, a typical car park is illuminated by twin 5’ 58w fi ttings operating on a switch start control gear. By replacing these with new T5 technology using high frequency gear, energy can be reduced by 50%, giving a payback on the installation under two years and signifi cantly improving the quality of light.
There is new government legislation, the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which takes effect from April 1st 2010 where energy usage will be measured and penalised. Initiatives like these will provide a signifi cant contribution to your corporate target by reducing your loadings.
Weblight continue to work with both manufacturers and clients to develop a strategic and holistic cost effective solution.
Safety and security must be the primary requirement for all car park landlords when looking to refurbish their portfolio. However, this need not be at the expense of energy saving and the fi nancial benefi t of the owner.
Lighting is a key area for consideration as it impacts on the look and feel of any venue, creating that welcoming, safe atmosphere. While lighting technology continues to develop, driving performance and the opportunity to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, Weblight seeks to promote best practice.
Over the past few years, Weblight has undertaken a number of car park refurbishments looking to increase the light levels whilst reducing maintenance and energy consumption.
Lighting is an area that is so frequently overlooked and regarded as ‘while there is light it must be working’. This is not the case. Many old sites contain ineffi cient and expensive control gear with aging fl uorescent tubes producing poor inappropriate light levels. Aligning this with spot replacement for failed lamps does not support effective maintenance.
Weblight Limited
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Osborne is a freelance industrial journalist. He can be contacted on +44 (0)1322 554446, mobile +44 (0)7523 085505
email:
johnosbornejournalist@btconnect.com
www.britishparking.co.uk
APRIL 2010
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Netherfi eld Lane, Stanstead Abbotts, Herts SG12 8HE Tel: 01920 872287 Fax: 01920 876129 E-mail:
chris.swann@weblight.co.uk www.weblight.co.uk
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