Railway walkways, sidings and stabling are vital areas for train access and maintenance, and their design requires specific considerations to ensure both safety and functionality. Here’s a look at how effective lighting can support these spaces while addressing environmental and safety concerns.
Importance of Well-Lit Walkways
Walkways alongside tracks must provide unimpeded access along the entire length of the train. Navigating these narrow paths, particularly in low light conditions, can be challenging, making adequate illumination essential. Proper lighting ensures that personnel can safely move between rolling stock and avoids creating any “nuisance lighting” for nearby residents and wildlife.
Minimising light dispersion upwards, and focusing it directly on the designated area, is crucial for safety and efficiency. This targeted approach not only improves visibility but also reduces light pollution, supporting the surrounding environment and respecting neighboring properties.
Electrical Safety Near High-Voltage Equipment
With the close proximity of overhead line equipment (OLE) or third rail power supplies, lighting in these areas must meet stringent electrical safety standards to avoid risks to personnel or infrastructure. Lighting fixtures need to be safely designed and rigorously tested to ensure they’re safe for use in these high voltage environments, posing no additional hazard to maintenance crews or the rail system itself.
Enhanced Lighting for Sidings Used in Cleaning and Maintenance
In sidings designated for cleaning or maintenance, effective lighting is even more critical. Tracks in these areas often house machinery and other equipment, which must be clearly illuminated to reduce the risk of accidents, especially where trip hazards like uneven ground or stray cables are present. Every carriage needs proper lighting to ensure that cleaning and maintenance crews can access them safely and efficiently.
At these locations, focused illumination is key. Our Trackline bulkhead lighting solution, for example, provides versatile light distribution patterns, adapting to various mounting heights and ensuring that light reaches exactly where it’s needed. This flexibility is essential for optimal lighting coverage in sidings.
Facilitating Easy Maintenance and Longevity of Lighting Fixtures
Given the exposure to outdoor elements, railway lighting requires durable fixtures with high IP ratings to withstand weather conditions. These fixtures must be robust yet low-maintenance, minimising the need for frequent replacements or repairs.
For easy installation and maintenance, lighting fixtures should support various connection devices, such as isolators and fuse cut-outs. This setup reduces downtime and ensures that fixtures are serviced quickly, keeping operations running smoothly.
Effective lighting design for railway walkways and sidings goes beyond illumination; it incorporates safety, durability, and environmental considerations. By minimising upward light dispersion, focusing illumination on necessary areas, and adhering to strict safety standards, railway facilities can create well lit, safe environments that support both personnel and the surrounding community. With careful planning and quality lighting solutions, railways can enhance productivity, reduce maintenance, and contribute to a more sustainable operation.
Technical Support
To properly illuminate railway sidings and driver walkways, several essential standards and guidance documents provide recommendations, including BS 12464-2:2014, LU S1066-A6, LG1 – 2018, and ILP Guidance Note GN01/21.
BS 12464-2:2014 specifies a minimum illuminance of 10 lux at floor level with a uniformity of 0.20 for train stabling areas, ensuring adequate visibility. ILP GN01/21 advises reducing light spill and glare to minimise intrusive lighting. We recommend low mounting heights to enhance control over light distribution and ensure no upward light emission above the horizontal, supporting energy efficiency and environmental conservation.
For further lighting advice speak to our technical sales team on 020 8254 2022 or e-mail technicalsales@designplan.co.uk
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