Subways And Underpasses

Subways And Underpasses can often be associated with “a fear of crime”. Whilst subways may not necessarily be relevant in all station settings, passengers can have feelings of uncertainty when using such enclosed spaces, which lighting can help alleviate.

Recommended Products

Please move your cursor through the illustration and click on the blue squares for more information about recommended products for transport subways and underpasses.

Tuscan 89 The market leading weather and vandal resistant fitting

Best Practice Advice

Managing Transitions

It is particularly important that subways are well lit and feel appropriately bright, with a managed transition of illuminance from adjacent areas. Where restricted lines of sight exist, the lighting should be designed to help eliminate any dark spaces.

24 Hour Operation

Transport subway lighting may well be on 24 hour operation and could also be subject to unwelcome attention in the form of vandalism. Good lighting inspires user confidence and helps discourage criminal behaviour. It is therefore particularly important that lighting is especially robust and requires little in the way of maintenance.

Technical Support

Standard BS EN 12464-1:2011 specifies 100 lux for subways between platforms for large numbers of passengers. However, the accessible Code of Practice Version 04 – March 2015 suggests a level of 150 lux, with clear directional information. We recommend complying with BS 5489- 1:2013 due to different advice being offered.

Whilst not specific to railways BS 5489-1:2013 specifies 350 lux during the day, with controls to allow 150 lux at night. These lighting levels take account of the different transition requirements at day or night whilst providing the light levels required to ensure passenger feelings of safety and securityWith different advice being offeredWhilst not specific to railways BS 5489-1:2013 specifies 350 lux during the day, with controls to allow 150 lux at night. These lighting levels take account of the different transition requirements at day or night whilst providing the light levels required to ensure passenger feelings of safety and security

For further lighting advice speak to our technical sales team on 020 8254 2022 or e-mail technicalsales@designplan.co.uk

Lighting Controls

Using a lighting control system can improve the quality of illumination as well as reduce energy consumption. Control systems allow the use of light in the required place, at the right time and in the optimum quantity. At Designplan we can provide control solutions for traditional switched applications and standalone luminaire operation, through to full networked systems utilising the DALI protocol.

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PDF Lighting Guide

Our 40 page lighting guide identifies typical overground rail applications. We examine the benefits of robust construction and lighting controls to reduce your cost of ownership and carbon footprint. To download your copy click on the button below.

Lighting guide PDF

Why Choose Designplan?

Sustainability

Reduced light-spill minimises the impact on the environment and focuses light where it’s needed.
Photometrically efficient lighting should be manufactured from recyclable materials with a short supply chain.
Circular product design for easy upgrade, repair and end of life recycling to minimise waste.

Satisfaction

Good lighting encourages use of the subway.
Robust and reliable luminaires minimise downtime which affects customer journey times.
Upkeep can be simplified and reliable with remote monitoring.

Safety

Good lighting promotes safety in potential bottleneck areas.
Light walls and ceiling promotes user confidence.
Eliminates dark shadow area for enhanced comfort and customer confidence.
Manages light transition between areas.

Stewardship

Ongoing maintenance is largely eliminated further to long life 70,000 + hour operation.
Ongoing operational costs, waste and the consumption of natural resources must be minimised.