Kaiserslautern and BLISS

 

The main objective is to build on the results of other investments of this type and compare the energy savings and the resultant impacts of each scheme whilst assessing if increasing the intensity of the general lighting and installing additional decorative lighting adds tangible benefits to a commercial shopping area. This investment will also examine if the addition of decorative lighting and illuminated public art discourages crime and anti social behaviour and citizens individual fear of crime and actively encourages positive economic growth within a commercial environment. The quantified impacts will be measured against the increased energy consumption and potential environmental impacts. Socio economic impacts, including the potential stabilisation of falling property prices and increased business activity and economical growth will be monitored.

 

Newest lighting-technique shall be used in two pedestrian streets within the city centre of Kaiserslautern to demonstrate Reduction of energy consumption, CO2 emission and cost of energy

• how energy consumption can be reduced and streets by light design

• how streets can be improved by light design within the EU-project BLISS.

 

Besides that it will be researched if the new lighting can have positive effects on antisocial behavior, vandalism and accidents. The project streets are Glaserstraße and Heiligenstraße.

 

Outcomes

• Reduction of energy consumption, CO2 emission and cost of energy

• Improvement of streets by light design

• New concepts of light design with photovoltaic solar power

• Decrease of antisocial behaviour & vandalism

• Giving example for cities with similar problems

• Contribution to the fight against climate change


GLASERSTRAßE AND HEILIGENSTRAßE

Kaiserslautern's historic centre dates to the 9th century but today the city is a modern centre of information and communications technology and includes a number of learning and international research institutes. Two streets located in a dilapidated area of the city centre have been included within this investment. Glaserstraße and Heiligenstraße are both located within a pedestrian area having a mix of retail, leisure and food / drink outlets. The existing street lighting system consists of conventional high energy consuming street lighting units and flood lighting. The lights operate during the hours of dusk to dawn using traditional methods of control, which result, in large amounts of energy being used in the late evening and early morning, when pedestrian usage is generally light. It is the intention to replace the existing installation with lights incorporating improved lamp technology and control to make the area more visually attractive with a greater feeling of security.

The proposed lighting in Glaserstraße will provide an acceptable level of lighting offering a standard decorative effect to offer a general improvement to the existing level of illumination whilst incorporating energy saving technology to ensure that any increased energy demand is kept within acceptable levels. The proposed lighting in Heiligenstraße will adopt a more elaborate layout offering a significant increased level of illumination including decorative effects to enhance surrounding architectural features creating a vibrant night environment to local residents and visitors to the area. During this process, citizens, local businesses and law enforcement agencies perceptions will be sought and the impact that each lighting scenario has on energy consumption, the surrounding environment, crime and accidents and the socio economics of each road will be monitored.


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