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E. Folles
A New Generation of Road Lighting Transportation and Traffic Research Division (AVV), Ministry of Transport, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Summary The objective of the project "A new generation of Road Lighting" is to arrive at a rational use of energy in transport. This is to be achieved by means of road lighting which is directed from the technical and economic aspect. By making more effective use of road lighting an energy reduction of some 20% can be realised in the Netherlands and a number of European member states, which in turn leads to a reduction in CO_2 emissions and therefore a cleaner environment. Traffic safety can be improved by a factor of some 10%, both so far as injuries and fatal accidents are concerned. Traffic behaviour is different however according to each of the European member states. The percentage improvement in traffic safety among the member states is therefore difficult to indicate. "A new generation of Road Lighting" is an innovation-oriented joint project of government and industry. The innovative aspect of the project is that the lighting levels on the roads will be managed according to weather and traffic conditions by means of switching amendments and new lighting systems. This combination brings with it some technical and economic risks. Such managed road lighting has not yet been introduced either in the Netherlands or any other European member state. The criteria for a responsible scientific regime of amendments are difficult to determine without a practical trial. These risks have formed a threshold for road administrators which hindered them from taking part in any sizeable demonstration project. In spite of this, the South Holland Directorate of the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works is willing to participate in a practical trial. The technique will be tested in practice on a 10 kilometre long stretch of a motorway (A4) in the Netherlands. The duration of the demonstration trial will be for more than 1 year. The energy and safety aspects and the behaviour of road users will be evaluated.
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