Facilitate sustainable travel and healthier lifestyles with adaptive lighting

The RAVeL (Réseau Autonome des Voies Lentes) network in Wallonia consists of more than 1,440km of disused railway lines and canal towpaths that have been converted into dedicated paths for cyclists, hikers, horse riders and people with reduced mobility. Away from the dangers of traffic, they are a strong pull for tourists to explore the towns, cities and countryside of Wallonia and provide an alternative means of travel to promote soft mobility. 

Conscious of the social benefits of cycling and citizens’ concerns for safe cycling infrastructure in natural environments, the local authorities of Thy-le-Château decided to create a more secure RAVeL by upgrading the lighting. A section of the RAVeL, linking the Berzée train station to the town centre is often used by schoolchildren and commuters - a safer and more pleasant experience would encourage more residents to leave the car at home and take the bike instead. It was critical to make the bike path accessible by day and by night, all year long, while reducing the town’s environmental impact.


Light that adapts to keep cyclists safe

To light this section of the RAVeL, the Walloon Public Service (SPW) for Mobility and Infrastructure wanted a light-on-demand solution. More specifically, a solution that would adapt the lighting levels as people advance so that they can safely and easily manoeuvre the path. The solution would also have to ensure a minimum level of light when the bike path is not being used. This would also enable the local authorities to reduce light pollution and save energy. 
 

Cutting-edge technology and sophisticated design

To achieve these objectives, the SPW opted for Citea NG luminaires fitted with motion detection sensors and controlled by the Owlet IoT control system.

The Citea NG meets the SPW’s strict regulations including manufacturing and maintenance requirements as it is a 005 certified luminaire.  This certification is given by Synegrid - the Belgian lighting operator - to luminaires that have undergone rigorous photometrical, electrical, thermal and mechanical tests to ensure high-quality and long-lasting lighting solutions. 

CITEA NG combines all the advantages of a functional luminaire, integrating the latest technologies, in a well-thought out and innovative design. It provides visual comfort and harmoniously integrates the landscape.
 

Smart and sustainable lighting

When the radar located at the start of the RAVeL path detects the arrival of people, it sends the information to the control system which automatically increases the lighting level of the first 4 luminaires to 100%. The people are then detected by a PIR motion detector, which in turn sends the information to the system so that the lighting level of the next 4 luminaires increases to 100%. This system makes it possible to accompany the users along the path, providing the right level of lighting. When no movement is detected for 4 minutes, the luminaires are dimmed by 70%.

The SPW is particularly pleased to have met all the legitimate concerns of the local authorities and the adepts of the RAVeL.