Light sensors allow responsive illumination at South West Trains stations

e14news — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 08:07:02 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by e14news on 10/7/2021 8:07:02 AM
UK rail operator South West Trains is fitting light sensors to its illumination on platforms at six of its stations.

The company works in a region the Met Office lists as receiving anywhere between 50 and over 200 hours of direct sunlight a month, depending on the time of year.

By compensating for the brighter periods by turning down platform lights, the firm claims it could save up to 60 per cent on its energy consumption.

However, the light sensors are not only designed to turn down the lights, as they can also turn them up if needed.

For example, if a cloud passes in front of the sun, or a waiting train temporarily blocks the light to a platform, the overhead bulbs can brighten to compensate.

The technology was first tested in Woking and is now being rolled out across Haslemere, Chandlers Ford, New Milton, Putney and Twickenham stations.

Posted by Andre Dixon