The Department for Infrastructure working with Signify, who supplied LED lighting via their contractor M&P Bradley and promoted their Clearfield light recipe – this special light recipe has been proven to limit the night time disturbance of bats as the light source has no UV content and has removed most of the blue part of the spectrum. The spectral power is between 590nm and 790nm, giving the light source a red appearance with a correlated colour temperature (CCT) of 1000K.
The project was installed by M&P Bradley early in 2023 and commissioned with Signify's CMS on 18th April 2023.
The project uses 233 Philips Digistreet Micro luminaires connected with Interact Cellular Node, which allows for remote monitoring and control of the lighting system that brings lighting together with data and the IoT so you can create spaces that adapt to your needs, making them more efficient, connected, and sustainable.
The project that is still in progress, will also see the installation of Multi Sensor radar detection installed in October. Multisensor is a Zhaga-D4i certified sensor connected to the luminaire via the Zhaga Book 18 socket and is the best choice for light on demand applications especially for cycling paths, as it has the capability to control a group of luminaires when motion is detected This allows the best use of light on demand by setting a low background level of illumination that can be increased when the radar is triggered by motion, providing a base level of illumination for the majority of the night to limit environmental impacts, whilst increasing the illumination level when required, providing a safer space for those who wish to walk, wheel or cycle all year round.
The project was designed with the local environment in mind, using a special light recipe of the Philips ClearField technology which filters out the blue peak making the light source red in appearance, to limit the night time disturbance of bats, while internal back louvres on the luminaires and lower mounting heights minimised light spill into the hedgerows to shield wildlife and diminish light pollution into adjoining properties. Research undertaken shows some species of bat are light adverse and the introduction of lighting can have a negative effect on their commuting and foraging behaviours...
Following consultation and engagement with residents, the new lights on the urban section of the greenway between Beersbridge Road and Billy Neill Halt have been programmed to operate during hours of darkness from dusk to 10.30pm and from 6.00am to dawn.