CHALLENGES

The project of replacing the lighting in the UFT St. Niklas tunnel represents an important step towards energy optimization and maintenance improvement. The goal is to retrofit the existing V4A light fixtures in the tunnels with “LED Retrofit” inserts. In addition to poor road reflection and the old road surface, the fixed position of the luminaires and the low mounting height of the lighting on the ceiling, only 4.8 meters, made it difficult to achieve even light distribution and adequate visibility. The entrance lighting in both tunnel tubes needed to be adjusted to ensure optimal visibility and safety. All work was carried out during night tunnel closures.

SOLUTIONS

The challenges in the St. Niklas project were successfully overcome by applying the innovative product INSERT ASF 12 ASY. This highly efficient light source, with a specially selected combination of optics and LEDs, provides an exceptional output power of 232W. This successfully replaced the existing 400W solution, ensuring superior efficiency and improved light distribution.

Additionally, the new product enabled significant energy savings and improved lighting quality in the tunnel. By using this advanced technology, optimal visibility and safety were achieved, even under challenging conditions such as low mounting height and complex light reflection conditions. Thus, all technical requirements were met, while also achieving significant savings in energy and material consumption.

In the St. Niklas Tunnel, the reduction of total installed power from 89.4kW to 51.03kW, representing a decrease of approximately 42.92%, was highlighted as a very significant result. This savings of 38.37kW underscores the energy efficiency and sustainability of the project, allowing the investor long-term savings and improved environmental impact.

The energy efficiency of the installed LED inserts (INSERT ASF 12 ASY – 232W, INSERT ASF 4 ASY – 135W, INSERT ASF 2 ASY – 78W) brought a significant reduction in electricity consumption, achieving a savings of 42.92%.

Additionally, the transition to LED lighting also enabled major maintenance savings. The installed LED retrofits are suitable for use in demanding and humid environmental conditions and are rated for a lifespan of 100,000 hours. This long lifespan reduces the need for frequent replacements and maintenance, further reducing operating costs as servicing will not be required for at least the next 11 years.

The switch to LEDs with CRI70 and a color temperature of 4000K in the tunnel further increased safety and driver alertness. These LED luminaires provide better lighting and contrast, improving visibility and driver reactions, especially in the critical entrance zones of the tunnel.

In the St. Niklas tunnel lighting replacement project, LED inserts with a new mechanical spring-mounting principle were installed without the use of tools. This innovation allowed SPIE KEM installers to be efficient during installation, and the work, despite the night operation schedule, was completed within the set timeframe.

The combination of high performance, energy efficiency, and ease of installation makes BUCK LED retrofit solutions an ideal choice for tunnel lighting upgrades, ensuring long-term sustainability and traffic safety.

Benefits for the investor

With ASFINAG as the investor, we have collaborated on numerous projects such as the renovation of the A10 Katschberg tunnel, A09 St Pankraz, A10 St. Andra, A22 Grünbrücken Islamic Center, A12 Tunnel IMST, and many others.

In the St. Niklas Tunnel project, as in previous projects, the investment aimed at long-term energy savings by switching from traditional to more energy-efficient LED sources. The LED insert replacement was achieved with significant financial savings due to retaining the existing tunnel light housings.

With this project, BUCK confirmed that it is not necessary to install luminaires stronger than 232W because even with poor reflection that deviates from the standard, the required illumination can be achieved. This means that it is not necessary to replace the road surface, which further contributed to significant savings for the investor.

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