Freight Wagon Maintenance of SNCB plays an essential role within the Belgian rail network and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of freight wagons. The workshop in Antwerp-North is an important hub where countless wagons are checked and repaired every day.
The site features 15 tracks and covers an area of 120,000 m². In this busy and complex work environment, good lighting is crucial to ensure both safety and efficiency.
To improve working conditions and significantly reduce energy consumption, it was decided to renew the site lighting. This project is the first step in a broader sustainability strategy, in which several track bundles will be fitted with energy-efficient LED lighting in the coming years.
The lighting in the field consisted of obsolete gas discharge lamps of 2000W each. These lamps had low efficiency and diffused light spherically, which much light loss and unnecessary light pollution caused. As a result, lighting on the ground was inadequate and also disturbed the nearby "De Kuifeend" nature reserve, a growing concern for nature manager Natuurpunt.
Besides the ecological impact, the poor lighting also posed safety problems. In many areas, the light intensity was only 20 lux, while the standard is 50 lux. As a result, visibility was limited, which increased the risk of accidents and reduced work efficiency.
In addition, the high energy consumption of the old lighting caused significant operating costs. The combination of high costs, inadequate lighting and environmental drawbacks was the deciding factor in replacing the lighting with energy-efficient LED lights. The track bundle where the need was greatest was addressed first.
The project began with a consultation with the investment project manager at SNCB Technics. Here the main requirements and points of interest were defined. A lighting study was then carried out based on the site plans. This showed that the existing 24-meter-high lighting masts could be retained, which facilitated implementation and optimized costs.
Since SNCB is a government agency, the project was awarded through a tender process. This ensured that several companies could submit bids, making the choice transparent and competitive. This process guaranteed the best value for money and led to the most suitable solution.
Based on the lighting study and the requirements set, an energy-efficient LED solution was installed. The new lighting meets safety standards and drastically reduces light pollution. By reusing the existing 24-meter high masts, additional infrastructure modifications and additional costs were limited.
Powerful LED luminaires with an optimized beam were chosen for the lighting. This directs the light precisely onto the tracks, instead of spreading it uncontrollably as with the old gas discharge lamps. This led to a significant improvement in light quality and safety, with a guaranteed light output of at least 50 lux in all critical areas of the site.
In addition, energy consumption was drastically reduced, resulting in significant operational cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint. The new lighting has a longer lifespan, which greatly reduced maintenance costs and lighting downtime.
This successful implementation marks the first step in SNCB's broader sustainability strategy, which will see several track bundles switched to LED lighting in the coming years.
Using powerful LED fixtures, every spot on this 2-km-long site is optimally illuminated.
With this modernization, SNCB has taken a big step toward a more sustainable and efficient workplace. The combination of increased safety, lower energy costs and reduced impact on the environment makes this project a success.
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