Cycle path Roeselare with off-grid public lighting opened
In the autumn of 2019, new public lighting was installed on the cycle path along the Mandel between Smedenstraat and R32. The new lighting has been operational since January 2020 and was festively opened on March 9, 2020. The cycle path, which is more than 800 meters long, was equipped with 23 new lighting points equipped with the latest LED technology.
Unique off-grid installation
It is absolutely unique that the new lighting along the cycle path works completely autonomously from the electricity grid. The energy from solar panels located on the roof of Expo Roeselare is stored in a battery during the day. This then provides the necessary electricity to illuminate the cycle path at night.
But that's not all. The lighting also works with a tracking system. This means that sensors detect when someone (cyclist or pedestrian) passes by, after which the nearest light points come on. If no one passes, there is no lighting. So no energy is used when it is not needed.
In this way Roeselare gets the very first cycle path that is lit in a completely sustainable way! This project is fully in line with the Climate Switch #VANRSL, which is looking for answers to how the city can prepare itself in a smart way for the challenges of the future.
For this special project, the City of Roeselare and the Province of West Flanders have joined forces. The European Interreg 2 Seas project SLIC, in full Smart Light Concepts, within which this installation was realized, investigates how lighting can be implemented as climate-friendly as possible. In this way we get a city that remains lit and safe without a negative impact on the climate. In addition to Flanders, the Netherlands, the South of England and the North of France are also participating partners. With this demo project we want to gain experience ourselves, but at the same time inspire others.
This project is funded by the Interreg 2 Seas Program 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
This article was published in Dutch on the website of the city of Roeselare
