Solar bus stop illumination is an innovative,
yet cost effective way to improve passenger services. The
addition of lighting to bus stops and timetables provides
a greater sense of safety for public transport users and
makes essential schedules easier to read during evening hours.
As many local authorities have found, grid connection for
bus stop lighting can involve a long wait and significant
expense. Mains electricity is not even an option for many
remote or rural areas. Solar powered lighting is the perfect
solution to combat these problems, powered by a renewable
and sustainable energy source it is a reliable and cost effective
alternative to mains powered electricity.
Solar Head Unit – Flag Illumination and Down Lighting
Zeta have designed their own robust, vandal resistant ‘head unit’ which fits neatly to the top of the bus stop pole. This self contained unit houses the solar panel (PV), the innovative Energy Management System, batteries and LED lighting.
System Design
During pre-programmed night time hours, the flag is illuminated allowing drivers to see the bus stop and waiting passengers from a distance of up to 1km. Bright downward lighting has also been incorporated into the design to further enhance passenger security. The light is triggered by pressing an illuminated stainless steel button, which activates the LED’s to create a comforting pool of light around the user while they are waiting at the stop. The addition of this down lighting is advantageous to both passengers and bus drivers alike, reducing the possibility of missed riders and improving communication between the two parties.
Timetable Illumination
Reading timetable information at night can prove difficult for public transport users and is one of the main complaints received by Bus operating companies. The addition of solar lighting is a low maintenance solution to enhancing services for public transport users.
System Design
The timetable is illuminated with an array of high intensity LED’s which have an approximate lifetime of 100,000 hours. The back lighting to the timetable is easily activated via an anti-vandal, glowing push button which provides on-demand illumination to essential schedule information. Alternatively, the built in electronics can be programmed to provide a constant low level of lighting to the timetable during pre-set hours. Once a passenger arrives at the bus stop and presses the button the level of lighting will increase for a pre-determined period of time to meet customers specific requirements.
Year Round Operation
Solar systems depend on intensity of light, not necessarily direct sunlight. Zeta have designed their own unique Energy Management System, to optimise the energy collection from the solar panel and to manage the power in the batteries. The EMS regulates the amount of power consumed by the LED’s at night and maximises the power going into the battery by day, this clever optimisation of charge ensures reliable, year round performance.
Installation and Test
Easy to install.
Full range of adapters to fit all pole shapes & sizes.
Easy to retrofit to existing unlit poles.
Test point to indicate correct operation.
Built in diagnostics
Options
Programmable Timing Variable
on/off time settings for Flag and timetable. Built in data logging
Full diagnostics of the system can be downloaded, giving valuable information on frequency of use and system performance data. A GPRS modem sends this data back to a central server allowing continuous monitoring of the complete network.
Benefits of Solar Bus Stop Lighting
Cost effective
Totally self contained system – No roadworks, no meters or bills Instant installation
No delay for grid connection
No traffic disruption
High threshold of vandal resistance
Sustainable and renewable energy source
Aids drivers to see waiting passengers
Brings a sense comfort and increases the perception of safety at bus stops
